Pvt. Vera can rest in peace

The wheels of justice really do turn slowly sometimes, but they do turn. Thursday, more than 62 years after he was killed in action in Korea, Pvt. Miguel A. Vera was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Born in Puerto Rico, his ashes were originally interred there. His nephew, Jose Ramon Rodriguez, himself a Marine, had campaigned for years to have his uncle buried in Arlington. Perhaps coincidentally, Pvt. Vera's valor in combat recently was honored by the nation he served:

Army Pvt. Miguel A. Vera was among 24 soldiers from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars who received the Medal of Honor in March after being previously overlooked because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Vera, who was born in Puerto Rico, was just 17 when he joined the Army. He was serving as an automatic rifleman with Company F, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division in Chorwon, Korea, when he was killed at the Battle of Old Baldy on Sept. 21, 1952.
Even though he was suffering from injuries from a previous battle, Vera voluntarily left the aid station to join his unit in an assault on a well-fortified enemy position on a hill. When he and his men were within 20 yards of the spot, they were suddenly trapped by heavy mortar, artillery and small-arms fire, according to the official citation.
The company retreated, but Vera volunteered to stay behind to provide cover fire. When they returned later that morning, they found Vera dead in the same position, facing the enemy.

Having been awarded the Medal of Honor, burial in Arlington was a given. His nephew was presented with the flag from his coffin as the next of kin. That might not mean much to most people, but I'll bet it meant a lot to Mr. Rodriguez. I would call him by his rank, but I was unable to determine what that was. I nonetheless give him all due respect for the efforts he put in to get his uncle the proper recognition. I don't know why Pvt. Vera originally was not awarded the Medal of Honor -- they don't pass it out like candy, after all -- but it certainly sounds like he deserved it. I'm glad he was awarded the medal, and I am doubly glad his nephew achieved his goal of an Arlington burial. RIP, Pvt. Vera.

Hat tip to Hot Air.