{"id":54052,"date":"2021-11-21T20:44:48","date_gmt":"2021-11-21T20:44:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/11\/21\/community-gathers-for-veterans-funeral-family-not-located\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:44:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:44:00","slug":"community-gathers-for-veterans-funeral-family-not-located","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/military-honor\/2021\/11\/21\/community-gathers-for-veterans-funeral-family-not-located\/","title":{"rendered":"Community gathers for veteran\u2019s funeral, family not located"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HELENA, Mont. \u2014 Many of the 100-plus attendees at the recent funeral for Army Spc. Michael J. Gilmer at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery<\/a> had never met the veteran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gilmer, 52, died in late October in the Fort Harrison Veterans Affairs Medical Center\u2019s intensive care unit. Hospital staff said Gilmer has family, but they could not be contacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not often someone dies totally unconnected like this,\u201d said hospital chaplain Tim Weidlich, speaking of patients at the local VA hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff did not know much about Gilmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After going through his papers following his death, they discovered he had received the Army Commendation Medal for his part in securing Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the 506th Regiment Combat Team, an airborne light infantry regiment first established during World War II, and the 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson, Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The remains of Army Spc. Michael J. Gilmer are escorted into a funeral ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, at the Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery near the VA Medical Center at Fort Harrison, west of Helena, Mont. Officials at the medical center were unable to find any of Gilmer’s family members, so hospital workers and area veterans attended his memorial service. (Thom Bridge\/Independent Record via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Staff Sgt. Russell Smith of the Montana Army National Guard serves as the outfit\u2019s full-time religious affairs non-commissioned officer. Smith said Weidlich reached out to him recently to help spread the word about the funeral service. He posted a message to his social media account, writing that the VA staff was \u201casking for anyone willing and able to attend to help give him an honorable service.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy goal was to have a couple of people attend,\u201d Weidlich said during the service. \u201cBy my count, we did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more than 100 nurses, fellow veterans and community members gathered Thursday in the modest pavilion at the cemetery\u2019s southern end, the Independent Record <\/a>reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After words and prayer from Weidlich, members of the Lewis and Clark Veteran Honor Guard gave Gilmer a proper military send-off, including a rendition of \u201cTaps\u201d played by a lone horn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bagpiper from Helena\u2019s Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils bellowed \u201cAmazing Grace\u201d as Gilmer was laid to rest in the cemetery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven in times when we feel unknown, it\u2019s just not true,\u201d Weidlich said during the ceremony before reading the Old Testament words of King David acknowledging God\u2019s continual presence. \u201cIf only my life is remembered by a family like this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t