MADERA - Chowchilla resident Carlton Neal Jr. received full military honors Friday as his remains were interned at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella. But his journey to his final resting place was a rough one.

Neal, a Cold War veteran, served in the United States Air Force from September 4, 1958 to October 11, 1960. When the veteran died this last January his only living relative was a cousin, who by law could not claim his ashes.

The Missing in America Project (MIAP) with assistance from Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1981, Smith Manor Grace Chapel, Madera County Veterans Services Office were able to claim Neal's ashes and provide the man with the honors he deserved.

The day started out with a ceremony at the Madera Veteran's of Foreign Wars building on North Granada Avenue. Then a procession of cars with a twenty-plus motorcycle escort from the Patriot Guard Riders from VFW Post 1981 made the 60 mile journey to the Valley's national cemetery in Santa Nella.

Neal was the first recovered unclaimed Madera County resident to be included in the MIAP. The purpose of the MIA Project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations,and in this way show honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes.

Since the organizations inception in January of 2007, over 7900 United States Veteran's have been located with over 1850 given proper internment. The veterans languishing on shelves need help. They need America to step forward and insure they are buried with honor. They need America to show their thanks for their service. Without them, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.

You can help the Missing in America Project by donating to the effort. Send checks or money orders to MIAP at 2171 Hartly Circle, Redding, CA 96003 or you can donate online through PAYPAL by linking to their website at www.MIAP.us.