The remains of Lt. Neil Taylor, a Navy pilot in Vietnam, were finally laid to rest at home in Rangeley Monday, WCSH reports.
It took 50 years and a journey around the world before his family could have a burial and say a proper goodbye.
In his 68th and final mission, Taylor volunteered to fly in the front and was hit by enemy fire.
His family knew he was gone, but never had his body. A forensic military unit spent years searching a rice paddy and months ago, confirmed through DNA that they found his remains.
While his sister Ann wanted a quiet burial, her community insisted on a procession through downtown, full military honors, and a final Navy fighter fly-over, according to the WCSH report.
Everyone from young children to old classmates paid their final respects after 50 years of waiting.
Lt. Taylor was given the Gold Star from the state of Maine and Gov. LePage has issued a proclamation making every Sept. 14 Lt. Taylor Remembrance Day.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.