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In Detroit, it is believed that have about 40,000 to 50,000 homeless veterans are still struggling with homelessness.
With that, students at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy have stepped in to help with the homeless veterans who have passed.
The school has gathered and trained 50 students and a few of Detroit’s local funeral homes to help the veterans who have passed away with out family since, homeless means, having no family too. The deceased veterans are left for 90 days unclaimed by family or friends, are than given a proper burial; the Dignity Memorial Network Homeless Veterans Program donates caskets for their services.
Three veterans were buried with six students who stood in as pallbearers for their funeral since the veterans have no family members anymore. “The men we honored today put their lives on the line for our country and now they deserve our dignity and service in return,” Leonard Froehlich, a senior, said in a news release. “There is no better way to pay our respects than by being pallbearers. We honor these service members by being with them in their last moments on earth, and that in itself is a privilege.”
The faculty’s program leader, Todd Wilson told TODAY in an interview, “The students’ service is so important because they realize how they can give back to the people of our community who have given so much to us. The students have come to understand that it is not our place to judge someone and their circumstances in life, but rather to celebrate and respect the dignity of that person’s life.”
Since Veteran’s Day is approaching, they will be training and providing more students to be pallbearers for veterans who have passed away.
