Bob Day is losing sleep over efforts to keep local veterans out of paupers' graves.
Day, the head of a volunteer group that arranges military burials for ex-troops whose remains are unclaimed, didn't realize there'd be so much demand when he launched the program last year.
"I had no clue there were this many in Southern Arizona," said Day, in the throes of planning another mass funeral for 17 veterans next week.
It's the second such event this year. In April, the ashes of 18 unclaimed veterans, many homeless or penniless, were laid to rest at the region's only veterans cemetery, the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista. Some had sat for years on shelves at local funeral homes.
Once the latest mass funeral is over, Day is bracing for a mountain of detective work.
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He's amassed a list of more than 1,500 local paupers'-grave candidates from funeral homes and the public fiduciary. Next he must comb through it one name at a time to figure out how many might qualify for military rites.
The process is laborious, he said. Names and other information are submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs and followed through the system.
Day said he's trying to find a few volunteers with computer and database experience who are willing to assist in those efforts.
He's also hoping the public will support upcoming fundraisers for the cause, known as the Missing in America Project.
One is Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Bashful Bandit, 3686 E. Speedway. Another, on Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. is at Putney's, a sports bar at 6090 N. Oracle Road.
Donations have been generous so far, Day said. Adair Funeral Homes in Tucson, for example, has provided free hearse service and urns for veterans' ashes.
"We have a lot of respect for what these men do" said John Chapman, the funeral homes' general manager.
Day said money is needed for other things, such as safety items for volunteer escorts who are part of the funeral details.
"We want to do right by these veterans," said Day, 60, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam era.
"It's just the right thing to do."
Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.
If you go
• What: A mass military funeral for 17 forgotten veterans takes place next week in Sierra Vista.
• When: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday
• Where: Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail in Sierra Vista. Call 742-6572.
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