Veterans are invited to attend a funeral this morning for Donald J. Burciaga, an Army veteran who died last month in Hilo with no known survivors in the state. ADVERTISING Veterans are invited to attend a funeral this morning for
Veterans are invited to attend a funeral this morning for Donald J. Burciaga, an Army veteran who died last month in Hilo with no known survivors in the state.
The interment/funeral service starts at 9 a.m. at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 in Hilo. Arrangements are being handled by Josh Stensrud of Homelani Crematory. The service will include an honor guard and an American flag for presentation.
Burciaga was an Army veteran who entered into service in Kailua, Oahu. He died March 4 at age 68 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo.
Remaining details about his military service and life are unknown, though he is reported to have a brother on the mainland — his only known living family member. His brother will not be at the service.
Hundreds of veterans were invited to attend, said Jan Kama, senior vice president of VFW Post 3830 Auxiliary, though she’s not certain how many actually will show up.
“We have a policy of no veteran is left behind,” Kama said. “He had no family and that’s what’s important to us. … We are his family and that’s our involvement.”
Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
