Angels and Miracles

He Was Inspired to Conduct Final Salutes for Recently Departed Veterans

Evan Roberts

At this Memphis cemetery, veterans who die alone are not forgotten.

At this Memphis cemetery, veterans who die alone are not forgotten, thanks to James Lindsey. He was shocked to learn that a dozen veterans a year were buried at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery with no family and no ceremony, so he took it upon himself to make they were honored prior to being laid to rest (photos by Karen Pulfer Focht).

James Lindsey; photo by Karen Pulfer Focht — Credit: Karen Pulfer Focht

1 ^{of 7} A Marine’s Tribute

Lindsey, a retired Marine who was then the cemetery manager, felt called to hold public services, sometimes playing taps himself.

Pallbearer escort a departed veteran to his final resting place; photo by Karen Pulfer Focht: — Credit: Karen Pulfer Focht

2 ^{of 7} Laid to Rest

More than 700 people honored three veterans in 2019. Pallbearers were from the deceased’s service branch.

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3 ^{of 7} Military Honors

Lindsey promised God that every deceased veteran placed in his care would be remembered. “I prayed that I would be a good steward,” he says.

Ann Toland (left) often comes to burials; photo by Karen Pulfer Focht — Credit: Karen Pulfer Focht

4 ^{of 7} Unforgotten

Because there are no family members, attendees pass the casket flag as a way of claiming the veteran as their own. Ann Toland (left), of Bartlett, Tennessee, often comes to burials.

A member of the Memphis Patriot Guard Riders; photo by Karen Pulfer Focht — Credit: Karen Pulfer Focht

5 ^{of 7} Honoring All Veterans

Members of the Memphis Patriot Guard Riders participated in a Memorial Day ceremony that paid tribute to everyone who has served.

World War II veterans Fred Heyer and Jack Taylor; photo by Karen Pulfer Focht — Credit: Karen Pulfer Focht

6 ^{of 7} A Salute from Two Veterans

Fred Heyer and Jack Taylor were among the WWII veterans who were honored on Memorial Day.

James LIndsay's bugle, tucked under his arm; photo by Karen Pulfer Focht — Credit: Karen Pulfer Focht

7 ^{of 7} Day Is Done

No longer the cemetery manager, James is studying to become a funeral director and remains committed to the program of remembrance he began in 2016. “God has given me a heart for this,” he says. The cemetery is the final resting place for some 19,000 veterans.