Cemetery Asks Public To Attend Funeral For 'Unaccompanied' Texas Veteran

KILLEEN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — The death of a U.S. Air Force veteran with no known family and whose Texas funeral was not expected to bring any visitors is drawing statewide attention.

The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery and the Texas Land Commissioner's Office are both encouraging the public to attend the service Monday for Joseph Walker in Killeen.

Walker served four years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Officials didn't indicate when he died or the circumstances of his death. His service is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

A spokeswoman for the Land Office told KVUE-TV in Austin that efforts began in 2015 to ensure a proper burial for "unaccompanied veterans."

Prior to that, a veteran's burial was up to the discretion of a county judge and could result in cremation and the remains being placed in storage.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)