1,500 Strangers Gather to Bury a World War II Veteran in Unprecedented Display of Respect A small funeral service for a local veteran was expected to be an intimate affair.
But as the cortege passed through the streets, it drew a crowd that no one could have anticipated: 1,500 strangers who had come to pay their respects.
The unlikely gathering included people from all walks of life – young families, elderly couples, and individuals from neighboring towns.