Chattanooga veterans are rallying around a local formerly homeless veteran who recently died with no family.
Mickey McCamish, retired U.S. Navy captain, said, "The response has been tremendous. I met Richard (Lance) in June 2019. His was a great story of going from being homeless to working at Goodwill-Senior Community Service Employment Program.
"He had turned his life around, but unfortunately he died this week. There isn’t a family that will stand with him so we, veterans and our Chattanooga community are stepping forward and standing with him. As of this Saturday morning in addition to veterans and our community, I have three Chaplains, an Army Honor Guard, a person to sing and I am reaching out to the Patriot Guard.
"I’d like nothing better than to have a tremendous community turnout for Richard Lance by attending his funeral on Wednesday at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. The hearse will arrive at 12:15 p.m. and the funeral service will commence at 12:30 p.m. and completed by 1 p.m.
Please let me know if anyone can arrange for a Chaplain and if you will plan to meet me at Chattanooga National Cemetery, Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 12:15 p.m.
Richard Lance was in the U.S. Army from July 1982 to June 1986.
Capt. McCamish said, "Let’s be the family for U. S. Army Veteran Richard Deal."