Hundreds of people showed up to pay their respects and honor a World War II veteran who died in the early part of May 2026. John Bernard Arnold III, who hailed from East Bridgewater and served in the U.S. Navy, passed away on May 6, with no known living relatives. He was 98 years old. Arnold was a graduate of Rogers High School in Newport and went on to attend the University of Rhode Island for two years.
Hanover-Hanson Veteran Services put out a call to the public last week, requesting folks attend Arnold’s funeral service. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about the man. He was well loved by everybody,” Hanover-Hanson Veteran Services officer Terrance O’Keefe stated. According to O’Keefe, the response was overwhelming. He estimated that over 1,500 people attended the funeral at St. Joseph the Worker Church.
Dozens more followed Arnold as he was laid to rest at Cedar Knoll Cemetery located in Taunton, where he was given a sendoff worthy of a hero. “The level of humanity out there, where people can come out not knowing who he was … is absolutely incredible,” O’Keefe went on to add. “It shines a light on what we do as a society.”
According to a report from Yahoo News, Cory Dufour, also a veteran, spoke with local media outlets, saying he wasn’t sure what to expect when he attended the funeral. “I came here blind,” Dufour explained. “I was just willing to be a part of it — to give back and be there for a brother that sacrificed everything he had.” Another veteran, David Prescott, shared Dufour’s sentiment.
“Once a veteran, always a veteran,” Prescott told the press. “We’re comrades, no matter what service you’re from. We all stick together.” He then added, “They’re all heroes. They fought for our freedom and God bless them.” Another funeral attendee, Jim Pearce, said, “Nobody should have to go alone, I don’t care who you are.”
After the funeral Mass concluded, a long police motorcade escorted Arnold to the cemetery. Bagpipes played, veterans saluted, and American flags were distributed to mourners participating in the procession. “We’ll never let one of our veterans pass without being honored and sent off with respect and dignity, the way that a veteran should be to their final resting place,” fellow veteran Joe Campbell said to reporters.
A commenter wrote on a video clip shared of the funeral, “As it should be! Their generation carried the weight of the world on their shoulders. I was honored to carry my wife’s hero WW2 army veteran grandfather to his resting place. He was a D-Day survivor (3 purple hearts and 2 bronze stars for valor).” Another wrote, “Restores your faith in humanity.”
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“Every veteran who meets the end of his life, deserves the thanks, honor and recognition they earned and deserved. Glad people are recognizing this need. Love, thank, honor a veteran who kept us free,” the user continued. Someone else posted, “He fought for his country and its communities. It’s fitting that his country and community give him this moment.”
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video