IRMO, S.C. — On March 6th, a man by the name of George Shaw passed away.
Shaw was not claimed by any family or loved ones so the funeral home in Dutch Fork reached out to the public to help put this man to rest properly because not only is he a citizen of the Midlands, he is also a United States Coast Guard veteran.
Michelle Carpenter is a retired member of the Coast Guard and saw the news about Shaw on Facebook.
After serving 21 years herself, she says there is a special bond that forms between veterans.
“It’s a camaraderie thing," Carpenter explains, "You see a veteran- especially your own service that doesn’t have a family and he’s being buried, without question you kind of have to go to it." Carpenter said she did not hesitate to make plans to be in attendance.
“It’s my duty, almost," she says, "You have to take care of your brothers and sisters and he was a 'Coastie' at some point... and once a 'Coastie,' always a 'Coastie.'"
Irmo resident and veteran, Melissa Ann Anderson said, "As a United States Air Force veteran, I encourage anyone available to attend the funeral of Mr. George Shaw this Friday at 11:00 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. We are all a military family that relies and rallies upon each other. May our brother rest in peace."
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