History of the MIAP Veterans Recovery Program

During an inventory of a crematorium, in 2006 two cremation urns were discovered in a closet storage facility.  The urns contained the unclaimed remains of Sgt. Trueman, a veteran of the Vietnam conflict and his wife (also a veteran).  The year of death for Sgt. Trueman was 1979.  For 27 years, the resting place for Sgt. and Mrs. Trueman was a storage facility in a crematorium.  Other funeral homes and crematoriums were inventoried.  Other unclaimed remains of veterans were discovered.  In November 2006, the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery interred 21 cremated remains of forgotten veterans, with full military honors and the dignity these fallen heroes so richly deserve.  This incident inspired MIAP.

 In 2006 Retired Army Major, Fred Salanti, a Vietnam War veteran felt that this was a sad day for the veterans of our Country. He decided something should be done about this deplorable condition. Through his efforts and dedication, the Missing in America Project was formed. This is now a national organization. It's Mission Statement.  Is as follows:

 " The mission of the MIAP project is to locate, identify and intern the unclaimed cremated remains of veterans through the joint efforts of private, state, and federal organizations ; to provide honor and respect to those who have served our country , by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes ".

 On May 9-10, 2007 The National Executive Committee of the American Legion in regular meeting assembled in Indianapolis, Indiana Adopted Resolution 24 , that the American Legion supports the mission of the Missing in America project .

January 16, 2012

On October 4th we sent a letter from our post to the executive director of Nassau Suffolk Funeral Directors Association (NSFDA), a trade group of independent funeral homes, Jo Petit, cosigned by NY State Assemblyman Andrew Raia and Suffolk County American Legion Commander Thomas Bergin, urging their cooperation with our MIAP program.

Since that time, Post 1244 MIAP Chairman John Caldarelli has been working on the Missing In America Project directly with the NSFDA

He initiated this cooperative effort with Marty Kohler of Nolan Taylor Howe Funeral Home in Northport. Marty is the immediate past president of the NSFDA and has been acting as our liaison to the association.

Marty Kohler has addressed this matter at several NSFDA meetings after meeting with John Caldarelli.

 As a result of this effort, we now have 17 verified veterans’ cremains to be interred at Calverton National Cemetery on June 14 (Flag Day):

(6 from Nolan Taylor, 3 from Bruggemann and 8 from funeral homes in Nassau County). These will be interred with military honors.

 Both the American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders will be an integral part of this occasion.

 This is a major breakthrough. We believe that other funeral homes will follow from this example.

 John and his team of volunteers on the MIAP committee have contacted and continue to contact another 87 funeral homes and we are looking forward to the additional, positive results of their efforts. I congratulate them on this accomplishment.

 We will keep all of you updated on the successful efforts of our MIAP team. Details of the June 14th interment will follow as plans are finalized.

 Any suggestions or questions should be directed directly to MIAP Chairman John Caldarelli at JCaldarelli@optonline.net