From: Glen Closson (glen_closson@earthlink.net)
Date: Fri Mar 24 2006 - 18:14:12 PST
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/24/frozen.airman.ap/index.html
BRAINERD, Minnesota (AP) -- A World War II airman whose frozen body was
chipped out of a California glacier last fall was laid to rest in his
hometown Friday, more than six decades after the young man disappeared
during a training flight.
Leo Mustonen's two nieces were among about 100 people who gathered at First
Lutheran Church to say goodbye. A full military funeral followed at a
cemetery overlooking the Mississippi River.
"This is one of the most unique and special days that any of us will ever be
a part of," Pastor Andy Smith said. "Today we are burying a small-town boy
from Brainerd, Minnesota, who dreamed of flying."
Mustonen was 22 when his AT-7 navigational plane disappeared after takeoff
from a Sacramento, California, airfield on November 18, 1942. An engine,
scattered remains and clothing were found over the following years, far from
the plane's intended course. All four men aboard were killed in the crash.
But Mustonen's remains were not found until last year, when two mountain
climbers in California spotted an arm jutting out of the ice. Forensic
scientists at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii analyzed bones, DNA samples
and the airman's teeth before declaring in February that the body was
Mustonen's.
At the cemetery, Mustonen was honored with a three-volley salute and a
bugler playing taps. The military paid for the funeral, as it would for any
soldier who died on active duty.
His nieces, Mary Ruth Mustonen and Leane Ross, did not speak at the funeral,
but at an earlier news conference, they said they have been overwhelmed by
stories told about their uncle over the past few weeks.
Mary Ruth was 11 months old when her uncle died; Ross had not even been
born.
"He really feels like he is ours now, and we've grown to love him," Ross
said.
He was buried alongside his mother, Anna, who grieved for years over the
loss of her son.
"He's no longer out there on a mountain alone," Ross said.
Regards,
Glen
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Tue Jul 18 2006 - 21:42:45 PDT