Meaningful Memorial Day for the Glennon family

Posted at: 05/28/2012 3:18 PM | Updated at: 05/28/2012 6:58 PM
By: Amanda Ciavarri | WHEC.com

Sixty years after he went missing in action, a soldier’s body is returned to his family so they can say the proper goodbyes.

Just last month, Army Corporal Patrick Glennon was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.     

Today, News10NBC spoke with the family of Patrick Glennon. They say the last few months have felt like something from a movie but finally knowing where Glennon is after all these years gives them piece of mind.

Richard and Timothy Glennon remember their cousin, Patrick, and the day he left for the Army like it was yesterday. Timothy Glennon said, “If somebody was bullying you, Pat was there and he didn't let that happen.”

Corporal Patrick Glennon went missing in action in November 1950 while stationed in North Korea after his unit was attacked by Chinese forces.

Richard Glennon said, “Three of four months after he was missing in action, my father told me Patrick will probably never be coming home.”

He never did walk through the door but just last month he did come home.

The Glennons learned the Department of Defense had positively identified six bones found with his dog tags. The family was able to say their goodbyes and bury Glennon at Arlington National Cemetery on April 11.

The family tells News10NBC the service was bone-chilling with riders on black horses, the flag-covered casket and the burial outside where the family was presented with Glennon’s dog tags and an American Flag.

Richard Glennon said, “America is so full of heroes, he was just one of the recognized ones that was found. There are still a lot of people that will never be found and never have that recognition and I think this service was for all of them.”

In a way, the Glennons now have closure, making this Memorial Day that much more meaningful. Glennon said, “It makes it more important when you find someone you thought was gone forever. I mean, he's still gone forever, but he's not gone forever.”

The Glennons say they know how lucky they are to have this happen after all these years and on this Memorial Day, they are keeping in mind all those men and women who haven't come home yet.

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