News

A final salute for unaccompanied veterans at Camp Butler Cemetery

A final salute for unaccompanied veterans at Camp Butler Cemetery

A service for unaccompanied and unclaimed veterans, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield IL, Oct. 7, 2026 Photo: Saga Communications/Dave Dahl


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Camp Butler National Cemetery Wednesday hosted a service for 22 unaccompanied and four unclaimed veterans. The unaccompanied have already been buried but had no loved ones on hand. The unclaimed had no known loved ones, period. The service assures that all receive full military honors.

“Each veteran has a story worth telling and a life worth remembering,” said the cemetery’s director, Christopher Webster. “Some stories are well known. Others may not have been written down. But a lack of witness does not make their service less meaningful.

“Their circumstances were different, but their service was not. Each one answered the call of our nation. Each one raised their hand and took an oath to defend our country. Each one became part of something larger than themselves. And today we made certain that each of them received the recognition and respect they deserved.”

The service is conducted twice a year.

Recent Headlines

19 minutes ago in Entertainment, Trending

Al Pacino to get lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild

Fresh

Al Pacino has been named the next recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award. The 86-year-old star of "Dog Day Afternoon," "Scent of a Woman" and a trilogy of "Godfather" films is the 62nd actor to receive the highest honor handed out by the Screen Actors Guild -American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

20 minutes ago in Trending, World

Prince Harry and Meghan cheered as they make first joint appearances since returning to UK

Fresh

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan appeared together in a trio of charity visits Thursday, their first joint public appearance since moving back to England, as they seek to rebuild their brand in Britain after walking away from royal duties six years ago.

21 minutes ago in Sports

Eagles rule out quarterback Jalen Hurts for Sunday’s game against Carolina with a blood clot

Fresh

The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled out quarterback Jalen Hurts for Sunday's game against Carolina because of a superficial blood clot in his calf. The Eagles said in a statement Thursday that Hurts was injured in an Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams when he took a cleat to his calf area.