Honors At Arlington - Missing In America ProjectThe Missing in America Project (www.miap.us) is a nation-wide, non-profit 501c3 organization, whose mission is to locate, identify, and inter the unclaimed remains of American Veterans. To provide honor and respect to those who served this country.
On 29 May 2009, they will do just that. This cross country honors mission, will take this group through the heart of America and your participation would be appreciated. Their travel route is posted at the MIAP link.
The Missing in America Project, with the assistance of the Buffalo Soldiers MC and the Old Guard Riders have the honor of escorting three American Heroes to Arlington National Cemetery to fulfill the nation’s obligation to show proper respect for these veterans.
Our Heroes are:
Isaiah Mays,
Buffalo Soldier served during the Indian Wars. In May of 1889, Isaiah was escorting the Army Paymaster when they were set upon by robbers. Isaiah was shot in both legs. The robbers got the money but Isaiah crawled for 2 miles to obtain help for the wounded.
For his heroism, he received the nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor. Later he applied for a pension and was denied. When he died in 1925 he was buried in a field in a pauper’s grave. 110 years later, he finally received a Medal of Honor headstone. But he was still in a pauper’s grave. Recently, the Old Guard Riders and the Missing in America Project obtained permission to disinter Isaiah and escort him to Arlington National Cemetery on May 21 for a full military honors burial.
Johnnie Franklin Callahan’s dream was to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. On May 21, the Missing in America Project will escort Johnnie to Arlington to fulfill that dream.
Johnnie served in the Navy during WWII on the USS Aulick. While at sea, a Japanese bomber dropped a live bomb onto the deck of his ship. Johnnie picked it up and threw it out to sea thus saving countless lives. For his heroism, Johnnie received the nation’s third highest award for Combat Valor, the Silver Star.
James William Dunn served for 35 years in the US Army as a medical aid man.
While serving in the Republic of Vietnam, his base came under heavy enemy attack. James, without regard to
his own safety, retrieved a number of wounded soldiers, administered life saving techniques and carried them to safety thus saving many lives. For his heroism, James received the Silver Star for valor in combat.
Johnnie Callahan and James Dunn will be escorted from California while Isaiah Mays will be escorted from Arizona. The two groups will meet in Topeka, KS and head for Kansas City, KS where they will meet with Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
Once at Arlington National Cemetery, the funeral for Johnnie Callahan will be at 1:00 PM, James Dunn’s ceremony will be at 11:00 AM and Isaiah Mays’ will be honored at 3:00 PM on 29 May 2009.
Please look for these Fallen Heroes along their route and show respect. Wave a Flag and make sure their self-less dedication to this country isn't forgotten.
Thanks...
__________________
Retired Chief Petty Officer
United States Navy Submarine Force