MAYPORT, Fla. — Before 75-year-old Lawrence Brown died in April, he had one request. He wanted Naval Station Mayport to bury him at sea. His widow brought his ashes down to Mayport in August, but little has changed since then.
"As of today, his remains are still in a cabinet in the Burial at Sea Office," son Art said.
Latest News Headlines from Action News
Art Brown sat down with our sister station in Fayeteville, Arkansas, to share his frustration. His dad was an electronics technician at Mayport and served in the Korean, Vietnam and Cold Wars. When Brown asked the Navy what the holdup was, he was told there was a backlog at the sea burial bases around the country, including Mayport.
"There are currently 50-80 other sailors deceased that are waiting to be buried at sea over five separate locations. So we're talking 350-400 people," said Art Brown.
Brown said his mom is an amputee and declining in health. He wants closure for her and for his dad, who so bravely wore the stars and stripes.
"These people have given their lives for their country, they've served their country. Some of them have made the ultimate sacrifice by dying in combat or on duty and I really think they need to be treated as a priority," Brown said.
We contacted Mayport and its Burial at Sea Office, but haven't heard back.
For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts
WJAX
