On a brisk Tuesday in Arizona, hundreds of individuals converged at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana to accord respects to Darrell Lee Arelt, a Vietnam veteran with no known surviving family or friends. According to ABC15, Arelt, who served as a Second Lieutenant during Vietnam, passed away following a rapid decline in health. His landlord discovered Arelt's military history which sparked a communal effort to ensure he received a military burial.
The landlord, along with neighbors, made arrangements for Arelt to be buried with full honors at the state veterans' cemetery, "The veteran community is extremely strong," Richard Havens, a Marine Corps Veteran, told ABC15 in a testament to the outpouring of support. News of the burial was widely disseminated via social media, where it caught the attention of multitudes, including bikers, firefighters, and members of the American Legion who wished to honor the veteran's service.
"What became maybe a service for just a couple people became a service here today for several hundred who could attend," said Nick De Gennaro, the owner of the mobile home park where Arelt lived, as per 12 News. De Gennaro played a pivotal role in organizing the service after realizing Arelt was unaccompanied, and his call to action garnered a significant response from the community and fellow veterans.
Gable Cundiff, CVMA Chapter Commander, reflected the communal spirit when he mobilized veterans across the state, "I took that information and sent it to every combat vets chapter in the state of Arizona. I sent it to the patriot guard and got the word out," he told 12 News. The ceremonial tribute included an honor guard, color guard, the playing of Taps, and a 21-gun salute to bid farewell to the veteran with the dignity his service merited.
While Arelt's immediate circle had seemingly vanished, the broader community stepped in to fill that hollow space. In a gesture of solidarity and tribute, Rich Havens remarked to 12 News on the event's significance, "This type of situation shows what Marana, Oro Valley and Southern Arizona is all about."
