Veterans who donated bodies to science honored at DFW National Cemetery

A very special ceremony was held for 17 U.S. service members at DFW National Cemetery on Thursday.

They were honored for what they did in life and in death. Patriot Guard members were there to help salute their service.

Their tours of duty span nearly 80 years from World War II to Korea and Vietnam. All of the service members donated their bodies to the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth. Their remains now return home with honors.

The 17 airmen, sailors and soldiers’ final mission to modern medicine and mankind will not soon be forgotten. They will be laid to rest among other veterans at DFW National Cemetery.

"I'm just so grateful for the sacrifices they made,” said Charlotte Albright. “My husband was in the Navy. We're here for my brother-in-law's funeral."

Claudia Yelliott with the UNT Health Science Center says their contribution to the medical profession is immeasurable, and it's only fitting that they are properly remembered.

"Giving in life to their country and giving in death to the medical education and research at UNT,” she said. “It brings an end to it all — a finality to it all, if you will — to their donation and their contribution to their country. It really just ties it all together and shows how giving they were.”

Nine of the veterans were in the Air Force, five were in the Navy and three were in the Army. One of the veterans was a woman who was in the Air Force.

For the past couple of years, their remains have helped educate future physicians, scientists and other healthcare professionals.