Lexington, SC – Ronald Baker, a veteran whose remains have not been claimed by his family, will be laid to rest with full military honors at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia. The service will begin with a procession at 10 a.m. from Caughman-Harman Funeral Home at 503 N. Lake Drive in Lexington. It will be led by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the Patriot Guard Riders.
Army Specialist Baker was born Jan. 3, 1946, and entered the United States Army in 1966. He served honorably for three years, receiving a National Defense Service Metal. After an extensive investigation by the Kershaw County Coroner’s Office, it was concluded that Baker did not have family able to provide his final arrangements.
This is the 7th unclaimed veteran to be laid to rest through the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program, which has been active in the area for approximately 18 months. The burial is sponsored by Caughman-Harman Funeral Home as well as the Homeless Veterans Burial Program.
"The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program is a cooperative effort designed to ensure that veterans who are homeless, indigent and have no family receive the honors in death that their service in life merited," said Program Director William Lynch. "We're honored to assist in giving Army Specialist Baker the dignified military services he deserves.”
The community and media are invited to attend the public event hosted by Caughman-Harman Funeral Home.
