This past summer, Phaneuf interred 11 Veterans' remains that were previously unclaimed. Buddy Phaneuf, with the help of the director of the NH State Cemetery, Roger Desjardins, researched and secured each Veteran's honorable discharge papers, held a memorial service and laid them to rest.
State coordinators of the Missing in America Project (MIAP), an organization that strives to do the same for every unclaimed veteran in the country, heard about their efforts and contacted Phaneuf.
"We have been working with other funeral homes in the area to give these men and women the honor they deserve," said Bruce Turner, a state coordinator and chaplain. "We are willing to do all the research and paperwork to ensure these Veterans are laid to rest properly."
To date, MIAP has found and interred hundreds of Veterans' unclaimed remains and hopes with Phaneuf's help, to leave no Veteran on a shelf.
"It's a disgrace that anyone who has fought for their country be left behind," Turner said. "I hope someday there's not a need for our work - that all Veterans are accounted for."
To learn more about the Missing in America Project, visit
www.miap.us.
