Unclaimed West Hurley WWI Veteran Cremains Laid to Rest at Ulster County Veteran’s Cemetery

Honoring the Memory of Clarence F. Vanderbilt, WWI Veteran

On Monday, October 23rd, the unclaimed cremains of World War I veteran Clarence F. Vanderbilt were finally laid to rest with full military honors at the Ulster County Veteran’s Cemetery in New York.

Vanderbilt, who served in the US Army and was a member of the 27th Division, died in 1993 at the age of 95. Due to him having no known living relatives, his cremains remained unclaimed.

A Long-Awaited Final Resting Place

The Missing in America Project, a non-profit organization that works to locate and identify unclaimed veteran remains, discovered Vanderbilt's cremains at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York.

Once Vanderbilt's military service was confirmed, the Ulster County Veteran’s Cemetery accepted the responsibility of providing a final resting place for the unclaimed veteran.

County Executive Patrick Ryan expressed his gratitude to the Missing in America Project for their efforts in identifying and locating unclaimed veteran remains.

Ryan also emphasized the significance of ensuring that every veteran receives a proper burial, saying, "It is our duty to honor the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our nation."

A Fitting Tribute to a Fallen Soldier

The burial ceremony was attended by members of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and local dignitaries. The service included a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps," and the presentation of the American flag to Vanderbilt's friend and caretaker, Charles Berardi.

Berardi, who had known Vanderbilt for over 20 years, spoke about the veteran's kind and gentle nature, describing him as "a true gentleman." Berardi expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in ensuring that Vanderbilt received a proper burial, saying, "This is a day of closure and a day of honor for Clarence."