PRINCETON, Ky. -- A Kentucky Marine was buried in his hometown Saturday nearly four decades after he died in Vietnam.
A homecoming theme reverberated throughout the ceremony for Lance Cpl. Donald Mitchell, who died with 11 other servicemen in May 1968. Several investigations and excavations that began in 1993 led to the recovery.
"Donnie Mitchell has returned home," said Mitchell's nephew, Scott. "The wait is over, the question surrounding Donnies life has been erased, and Donnies simple wish to return home has finally manifested itself."
An overflow crowd packed a funeral service before a lengthy procession drove to Cedar Hill Cemetery in Princeton.
Along the way, townspeople stood on street corners and paid homage to the fallen soldier. A block from the cemetery, more than 125 townspeople gathered on both sides of the street, some with hands over their hearts, others waving large American flags.
On the hillside at the cemetery, family, friends, townspeople, several Vietnam veterans groups and a delegation of Marines paid their final respects.
"In Donnies letters home, he counted down the days when he would return to his native soil, escape from the battlefield and pursue a life outside of maneuvers, engagements and death," Scott Mitchell said. "Thirty-seven years later, that day has finally arrived."
In addition to the Saturday service, a ceremonial group burial will be held Oct. 12 for Mitchell and his fellow servicemen at Arlington National Cemetery.
Scott Mitchell credited former President Bill Clinton for initiating the resolution of cases of Vietnam prisoners of war and those missing in action. Mitchell also thanked the military's Joint POW/MIA Command for excavating Donald Mitchell's remains.
©2005 by The Associated Press