By Jennifer Crompton
Remains of soldier taken prisoner 65 years ago return home
Cpl. Elmer Richard grew up in Exeter
An Exeter soldier's remains were returned to New Hampshire on Monday, 65 years after he was taken prisoner during the Korean War.
Cpl. Elmer Richard was 20 when he was declared dead in 1950. But his fate wasn't known until December 2014, when his three surviving siblings were told that his remains had been identified through DNA testing.
Richard's flag-draped coffin was greeted with a solemn ceremony as it arrived at Logan International Airport in Boston. His surviving brother and two sisters were there when his remains returned to U.S. soil.
"It was very important, necessary to be there when he came home," said his sister, Jeanette McDonnell. "He's been gone a long time."
A chaplain shared a prayer as the family absorbed the moment.
"Sixty-five years since we used to play together and do things together," said his brother, Ed Richard.
"We have a big, big family, and I think of it as a big puzzle, and I think of it as that piece missing, and today the puzzle is complete," said his sister, Mae Cutler. "He's with us."
The family rode in a motorcade as Elmer Richard made the journey home to Exeter. They made it clear that his young life was gone, but never forgotten.
"We got caught smoking cigars and stuff together, and you know, now it's all over, and it's a welcome home," his brother said.
Generations of nieces and nephews grew up never having met their Uncle Elmer, but they heard stories. On Wednesday, most of them and their children -- nearly 110 extended family -- will be there when he is buried with full military honors.
Cpl. Elmer Richard was 20 when he was declared dead in 1950. But his fate wasn't known until December 2014, when his three surviving siblings were told that his remains had been identified through DNA testing.
Richard's flag-draped coffin was greeted with a solemn ceremony as it arrived at Logan International Airport in Boston. His surviving brother and two sisters were there when his remains returned to U.S. soil.
"It was very important, necessary to be there when he came home," said his sister, Jeanette McDonnell. "He's been gone a long time."
A chaplain shared a prayer as the family absorbed the moment.
"Sixty-five years since we used to play together and do things together," said his brother, Ed Richard.
"We have a big, big family, and I think of it as a big puzzle, and I think of it as that piece missing, and today the puzzle is complete," said his sister, Mae Cutler. "He's with us."
The family rode in a motorcade as Elmer Richard made the journey home to Exeter. They made it clear that his young life was gone, but never forgotten.
"We got caught smoking cigars and stuff together, and you know, now it's all over, and it's a welcome home," his brother said.
Generations of nieces and nephews grew up never having met their Uncle Elmer, but they heard stories. On Wednesday, most of them and their children -- nearly 110 extended family -- will be there when he is buried with full military honors.
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