Patriot Guard Stands In For Veteran Laid To Rest - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

An Army veteran with no family of his own is laid to rest, with Patriot Guard Riders honoring him.

No one has been able to contact 59-year old Robert Clyde Varley's family since he died of lymphoma last month.

But that wasn't going to stop his fellow veterans from making sure he got a proper burial at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery today, and those who knew him say he got the farewell he always wanted.

Varley may have died alone, but thanks to the Patriot Guard riders, he wasn't alone today, and his close friend Robert King was grateful to have them standing by his side.

He said," He needed this, he needs family, and I'm sure he would be very happy, this is the type of funeral he wanted."

Varley's rank is unknown and no photos of him were available, but we know he served as a guard at the Iron Curtain in Germany from 1971 to 1974.

And just as Varley answered his call to duty, fellow veteran Ron Smith says it's his duty to give Varley a proper send off.

"A veteran is ultimately what I believe a hero is. It's somebody that has served this country, and they deserve to be put away properly in their final resting place," said Ron.

The owner of the Heart of Texas funeral home received a flag in the family's absence, and Patriot Guard riders stood in wherever they were needed

"We deem it an honor and a privilege to be allowed to stand and hold a flag for these people," said Ronald Decker.

"Personally, it makes me smile, it gets my eyes watery every time, because I know that that veteran knows we're there," said Ron.

And now that this soldier's battle with cancer is over, he's on his way home, and Robert says it's farewell, not good-bye.

"God bless his soul. I'll see him sooner or later. We all will," said Robert.

Reporter/Photographer: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com