World War II veteran’s remains returns to Bloomington
Image courtesy of ISU Army ROTC
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – In 1943, Private First Class Robert Bryant was reported Missing In Action while fighting in Italy during World War II. He was a Bloomington resident, and now after 81 years, his remains will finally be returned to his family.
Wayne Kirkpatrick is a member of Rolling Thunder, a national organization concerned with the treatment of veterans. He sees repatriations like this one as vitally important.
“We as a nation and as a society are very quick to send our young men and women off to war […] to defend democracy,” Kirkpatrick said. “We have to be equally as dedicated to account for them and bring them home.”
According to Dave Skinner, another member of Rolling Thunder, making sure soldiers get home is just the bare minimum.
“We have over 80,000 service members that signed a blank check which is payable up to and including my life,” Skinner said.
Skinner and Kirkpatrick are both veterans themselves, and see events like this one with Bryant as a great way to bring the community together.
“When we return these soldiers home with these repatriations, […] it gives a great sense of closure and purpose to the remaining family members,” Skinner said. “In the case of Pfc. Bryant, it’s been 80 years that he has been missing.”
Bryant will be buried with full military honors on April 12 at Park Hill Cemetery.
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