By\u00a0Stephan Saunders<\/p>\n
An American flag, tightly folded, was placed in the hands of the son and daughter of a Korean War soldier as his remains were finally laid to rest, ending a 60-year mystery.<\/p>\n
On April 27, Army Sgt. 1st Class James Caldwell\u2019s remains were buried in American soil. Caldwell was killed in 1950 during the Korean War, but was listed for decades as missing in action. Caldwell\u2019s wife, Helen, died in 1978, holding hope until her last days her husband would return home according to her son.<\/p>\n
Caldwell\u2019s two children, Johnston Caldwell and Kimm Dybowski, who were toddlers when their father left for Korea, expressed relief and gratitude in the identification of their father\u2019s remains. \u201cHe\u2019s in a better place. He\u2019s home,\u201d Dybowski said.<\/p>\n
Caldwell\u2019s remains were among hundreds found in 208 boxes turned over to the United States by North Korea in the early 90s. Through records of where the remains were found, military ID tags, dental records and DNA testing, Caldwell\u2019s remains were eventually identified after many years.<\/p>\n
Nearly 100 men and women from various veteran service organizations attended the funeral, held at Greenwood Cemetery, which is located behind the north side of the Daytona State College main campus. These veterans came to show their respect, lining the road of the cemetery with American flags and serving as an honor guard to carry the casket.<\/p>\n
Senior Ride Captain for the Patriot Guard Ron Cleary organized a six-motorcycle group adorned with American flags to escort the motorcade from the funeral home to Greenwood. \u201cI didn\u2019t know him, but I don\u2019t need to. It\u2019s an honor to be here and pay my respects,\u201d Cleary said.<\/p>\n
The funeral closed with the local commander of the Korean War Veterans Association, Bob McGuire, reading a letter addressed to Caldwell. Speaking of Caldwell\u2019s \u201cvalor\u201d and \u201csacrifice.\u201d McGuire gave Caldwell\u2019s children the Ambassador of Peace award in honor of their father. Ending the letter, McGuire\u2019s voice broke, \u201cYou will always be our hero.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By\u00a0Stephan Saunders An American flag, tightly folded, was placed in the hands of the son and daughter of a Korean War soldier as his remains were finally laid to rest, ending a 60-year mystery. On April 27, Army Sgt. 1st Class James Caldwell\u2019s remains were buried in American soil. Caldwell Continue reading A hero\u2019s welcome<\/span>