From staff reports
The public came out Friday, May 10, to honor a pair of unclaimed veterans from Berkeley County who were laid to rest at Beaufort National Cemetery.
The two veterans – Navy Gunners Mate Petty Officer 1st Class Lewis Melvin Coy III and Air Force Senior Airman Benjamin Harrison Hyder III — died without any friends or family who could claim them, but due to their veteran status and the persistence of the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office, Beaufort County Coroner’s Office and Beaufort National Cemetery, they were buried with full military honors.
The Patriot Guard Riders were present and the ceremony, presided over by a local pastor, was conduced as if the men had families present.
