200 Strangers Attend The Funeral Of A Homeless Vet With No Family

June 17, 2016

When an Army major learned that only four people were attending a funeral for a World War II homeless veteran, she not only decided to attend — she took action.

"In the military, we don't serve alone, therefore we should not die alone," Maj. Jaspen Boothe said.

good news veterans
Jaspen Boothe kissing Serina Vine's casket

She was invited to attend the funeral of Serina Vine by William Jones, a retired Marine who works at Quantico National Cemetery, and on June 7, he recited Boothe's words in front of 200 strangers.

good news veterans

But Boothe, a formerly homeless vet who now runs a nonprofit for homeless female vets called Final Salute, didn't just accept the invitation; she posted in every veterans group she could think of, and asked people to attend Vine's funeral.

"I was thinking my efforts would make maybe 20 to 30 people show up, but when I arrived, there were hundreds of cars lined up," Boothe, 38, told TODAY.

good news veterans
Serina Vine

Vine served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 and was found — apparently showing signs of dementia — on the streets of Washington D.C. in 1995. She was taken to the Department of Veterans Affairs' Community Living Center, where she lived until her death at the age of 91.

Caretakers at the living center said she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, spoke three different languages, loved to dance and went to church every Sunday.

via Today


Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoSisters Ask Mom To Send A Cardinal Once She's In Heaven. Watch The Miracle!

feel good storiesPeanut The Famous Turtle Is Turning 41 — And She’s Having A Party!

feel good storiesTeen Mom Shares The Note A Nurse Left for Her At 16 — Years Later, The Story Comes Full Circle

feel good storiesReal People Recall The Moments That Brought Them The Purest Joy

feel good storiesTaylor Swift’s High School Ex Had The Funniest Take On Her Engagement News

feel good storiesYes, A Screaming Hairy Armadillo Exists — And He Just Moved To Mississippi

feel good videoBaby Giraffe Gets The Zoomies And We Can't Get Enough

feel good videoWoman Shares Voicemail From Dermatologist And We're In Tears Laughing

feel good videoTeen With Cerebral Palsy Brings Crowd To Their Feet With Inspiring Walk Across Stage

feel good videoJohn Cena Makes A Reporter Feel Genuinely Seen

feel good videoThey Noticed A Stray Dog Staring At A Toy In The Claw Machine, So They Won It For Her

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me