On a cloudy Saturday afternoon, with a sprinkle of rain and before a crowd of solemn, but proud American citizens looking on...Marine Pvt. Jack Redman was laid to rest.

The WWII Marine veteran gained his final resting place back on American soil, in his hometown, some 72 years after giving his life in battle. A full military funeral service included immediate family, military family, local police and fire, and in a patriotic show of support – so many citizens. And that support, so, so appreciated by surviving brother Merrill Redman, who never knew if he'd ever witness this day.

"I worried it wouldn't happen in my lifetime, even though I knew in my heart this day would happen...," Merrill said.

An emotional Merrill Redman, who at age 13, witnessed that day in 1943 when the government messenger delivered the news to their Watseka home that brother Jack had been killed at war.

Saturday, as war hero Jack Redman was laid to rest at Watseka's G.A.R. Cemetery, Merrill can say Thank You to the wonderful people for all the support.

The Chicago-based Canaryville Veteran Riders Association spokesman Tommy Russell, who along with so many motorcyclists, were on hand to show support.

"This is unbelievable, such an honor...to bring a WWII hero back home. My father was in WW!!," an emotional Russell told WGFA News. "Almost 72 years later, we still didn't leave anybody behind."

The bagpipes sounded once more, the 21-gun salute, and the Taps....a military war hero is back home. U.S. Marine Pvt. Jack Redman is at rest, home on American soil, in Watseka's G.A.R. Cemetery.

94.1 WGFA