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Veteran finally gets military funeral
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Posted on Dec 20 2004
A military veteran who died in October this year, whose body had lain unclaimed for nearly two months at the local hospital’s morgue, will finally be put to rest.
Richard Klase was found dead last Oct. 30, 2004, at his home by a close friend, Andre Kozqotzi, who teaches Science part-time at the Northern Marianas College.
Klase was 64 and had died of natural cause.
Kozqotzi had brought Klase’s body to the Commonwealth Health Center, where it had remained in the morgue since then. Nobody had come forward to claim the body as Klase was single and had no family on Saipan. It was not known how long he had stayed on Saipan. He was a former Marine officer.
The Veterans Affairs Office on Guam recently called Martin Manglona, also a veteran, and informed him of Klase’s case. Although not related to Klase, Manglona immediately tried to find Klase’s immediate family and was able to speak with the sister in Oregon, and the father, 87, who also happened to have served the U.S. military during World War II.
Manglona then went to the Department of Public Works, the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the church to get assistance for Klase. He shouldered the hospital fees so that Klase’s body could be released for interment.
The body will be picked up this Wednesday at 10:30am prior to interment at the Capitol Public Cemetery at 11 am.
Seven military officers will fly from the Guam Veterans Affairs office to conduct a full military funeral for Klase. The relatives of Klase will not be able to attend the service due to old age.
Manglona promised to take photos of the service and will send them through e-mail to Klase’s family in Oregon, who are very grateful for Manglona’s generosity. (Marconi Calindas)
