Cortland (WSYR-TV) - Thursday was a bittersweet Veterans Day for one Cortland family that is finally able to find closure over a lost loved one.
Sergeant Douglas Glover's remains were recently identified more than 40 years after his helicopter was shot down during the Vietnam War. After a decade spent waiting, Glover's family remembered him with a sense of comfort as well as sadness.
His son, Mike Glover, was only a baby when his father's helicopter went down in 1968 while on a reconnaissance mission to rescue fellow soldiers. Nevertheless, his father's legacy has considerable influence. "He's in every thought that I have," Michael Glover said. "I don't think I can even begin to tell you how proud I am of him."
Mike knows there are other families who have felt his same pain, but haven't been as fortunate yet.
Locally, Sgt Glover's name is included on the Vietnam War Memorial. In the spring time, he'll be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Sergeant Glover's remains were recovered from Vietnam in 2007, but it wasn't until this year that they were able to be identified.
Vietnam veteran's remains returned home to Cortland
Oct. 19
Cortland (WSYR-TV) - After four decades, a family in Cortland has the closure it has been waiting for. The remains of Army Sgt. Douglas Glover were recently identified from the Vietnam War.
Sgt. Glover was a Green Beret in 1968 when his helicopter was shot down in Laos by enemy fire. The military tried several times after the crash to return to the site, but it wasn't until 2007 that they were able to gather the remains. Last December, they were able to make a positive identification. Sergeant Glover's son was only 2-years-old when his father was killed.
"It will be nice to finally have him take his place in Arlington with the rest of America's soldiers," Mike Glover said. "I'm just glad he's going to be at peace."
All this time, Mike Glover has worn a bracelet to commemorate the father he barely knew.
Sgt. Glover is expected to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery this spring with full military honors.
