After dying veteran shares his story, he receives support and even offers of grave sites

Prayers, words of support and even offers of grave sites have been offered to a Raleigh veteran after a story about his desire to be buried in a veterans cemetery was published by The News & Observer.

Frank Marshall, a Vietnam veteran who has an aggressive liver cancer, discovered that there is no room in the Raleigh National Cemetery. He suspected that other veterans may also be unaware.

Three of North Carolina’s four national cemeteries are full, with only the Salisbury National Cemetery having grave sites available. That cemetery was recently expanded to offer more than 8,000 burial spaces for veterans. North Carolina also has four VA-supported state veteran cemeteries, including nearby Spring Lake and Goldsboro.

James Capps, a fellow veteran, offered Marshall a burial plot at Montlawn Memorial Park near Raleigh. Capps, who said he inherited the spot from a relative, said he’s heard of other veterans who have had trouble finding a place to be buried.

“You would think the Veterans Administration would have done something about it, but they’ve got other problems,” he said.

Gene Gorham, a veteran who lives in Cary, offered Marshall a spot at Raleigh Memorial Cemetery.

“I am a veteran and that is the first thing that came to my mind,” Gorham said. “I just feel like I should. I don’t know what else to do.”

Marshall said he appreciates the kind words and offers of support. But but plans to stick with his decision to be placed at the Oakwood Cemetery.

“Maybe they can help with anyone else who is having the same problem I am having,” Marshall said. “I just wanted to be with the camaraderie of the veterans.”

After being diagnosed with cancer five years ago and going through a mountain of treatments and tests, Marshall has decided to stop further treatments..

Capps said if a veteran is interested in the plot at Montlawn to write him at 10068 N Chestnut St, Middlesex, NC 27557.

Anna Johnson; 919-829-4807; @anna_m_johnson

This story was originally published August 3, 2018 at 5:42 PM with the headline "After dying veteran shares his story, he receives support and even offers of grave sites."