Golden, Metros honored for commitment to Missing In America Project

Vietnam veteran Lanny Golden has faithfully served his country and community in times of both war and peace.
“When my three years were up, the Army said I was done and I should go home,” said the decorated war veteran. “You’re never done.”
Golden enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and two years later was assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam as an aircraft mechanic.
Four months after his arrival in the war zone, he was wounded by an explosive. He returned to the U.S. and following his recovery, served the remainder of his enlistment at Fort Meade, Maryland.
He was awarded both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service.
On Monday, Golden, along with Ron Metros, president of the 5th Pennsylvania Chapter of Rolling Thunder, were honored by U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, who presented both men with a copy of the Congressional Record that outlined their recent work with the Missing In America Project (MIAP).
“I appreciate you bringing this issue to my attention,” said Shuster, in making the presentation.
In the July 21 record, Shuster lauds the two men for their dedication and commitment to the MIAP — a national program to locate and inter the unclaimed cremains of veterans.
“There are an estimated 47,000 unclaimed veteran remains that have been left to collect dust on funeral home shelves because the next of kin has not or could not be identified,” said Shuster. “Existing legislation directs the Veteran Affairs Administration, veteran service organizations and funeral directors to work together in identifying veteran status for the deceased and making every effort locate the next of kin.
“Unfortunately, there are a host of barriers that prevent effective collaboration among these stakeholders.”
Golden, meanwhile, has long advocated for his fellow veterans, whether it be for additional medical benefits, housing or care.
He first learned of the MIAP in 2008 and immediately mounted a statewide campaign to garner the attention of both state and federal lawmakers to address the issue.
Golden said having the support of Shuster and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey will expedite the process and hopefully give those long-deceased veterans, that have yet to be claimed, a proper farewell and final resting place.
“They have pushed this ahead of the game,” said Golden.
When the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate convene in September, Shuster, along with Toomey will introduce The Dignified Interment of our Veterans Act of 2015, that will require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters relating to the burial of unclaimed remains of veterans.
“When our veterans pass, they should be honored in a way that reflects the bravery and sacrifice they showed in defending our country,” said Toomey. “Tragically, too often, the remains of our veterans are going unclaimed.
“It is Congress and the VA’s job to fix this this and develop an action plan which helps resolve this issue that is so important for our veterans’ community. Congressman Shuster and I are going to keep up the fight on behalf of our veterans until both the House and Senate act on this important bill.”
The internment act, if passed, would study current procedures and recommend appropriate legislative or administrative action for future congressional considerations.
“The services and sacrifices of our veterans should never be forgotten,” said Shuster. “Each one of them should be treated with the proper respect the deserve, and Congress needs to act to address this clear problem.
“I am happy to continue working with Sen. Toomey, veterans in the 9th Congressional District, and veteran service organizations across the country to raise awareness of this issue and move legislation through Congress to thoroughly examine the barriers preventing timely burial of our nation’s heroes.”
Metros, said that he was inspired by Golden’s commitment to the MIAP initiative and readily joined in the effort.
“He stopped by my garage and started talking about MIAP,” he said, adding that he was not familiar with the project. “He had hit a brick wall. I helped him chip away at it.
“We’re a good team.”
Metros, too, is appreciative of the lawmakers’ willingness to again introduce the legislation and pledge their continued support for its passage.
“A year has passed from the time this legislation was first introduce, and I am happy to see that it did not die or was forgotten about,” he said. “The veterans of this country gave their very best to preserve the rights and freedoms for all and to protect our way of life.
“Giving the forgotten veterans the dignified burial in a place of honor that they deserve is the least we as a nation can do to give back to them for their sacrifices.
“In conversation with various vets in this area, this legislation is very welcome and long overdue.”
John M. Fabry, Fairchance funeral director and Pennsylvania state coordinator for MIAP, said he is grateful to Shuster and Toomey for their efforts.
“I look forward to continue working with them for our veterans.”
Fred “Ducpho” Salanti, MIAP executive director, said that within the past 8 years, more than 2,200 veterans have been located, identified and interred with honors, but believes thousands more are warehoused in back rooms, dusty basements and closets awaiting an honorable farewell and a final resting place.
“The military burial is how our nation shows its gratitude to the men and women who have faithfully defended our country,” he said. “Yet so many veterans have been forgotten.
“They can be found on mortuary shelves, in cans or boxes. They were homeless, or without family, or just forgotten by their family and remain unclaimed.
“It is a monumental effort, but MIAP feels it is the right thing to do.”
Metros, meanwhile, shies away from the accolades for his service or his recent work to help his fellow veterans.
“I’m not a hero,” he said. “I’m a soldier.”