Veterans Museum honors fallen Marine

Aug. 28—After three-quarters of a century, a Lebanon WWII veteran's remains were identified and brought back home. To honor Capt. Edward "Glenn" Walker's return, the Wilson County Veterans Museum is hosting an event today showcasing his legacy with a new display to add to the collection.

Walker was killed at the Battle of Tarawa, a bloody affair, which might explain the mistake.

Many Marines were obliterated beyond recognition as they stormed the beach.

Following burial, which often happened where they fell, records were sparse and with such few survivors and their spotty recollections of a combat zone, it's likely other misidentifications happened.

Lane Martin, one of Walker's nephews, said that the reason that military personnel were given two dog tags was so that one might be left with the remains and the other taken to record the casualty.

Martin showed both of Walker's dog tags on Thursday in preparation for the open house today, so that didn't happen with his uncle.

The identity of the remains that were mistaken for Walker were deterred from Wilson Memorial Gardens last month.

Its pristine interior condition surprised family members in attendance after having been underground all these years. Due to the preserved condition, the hermetically sealed casket identifying marks of its manufacturer were still legible.

It is nearly 7-feet long, made of seamless steel and is part of the display at the museum.

The event will take place from 2-4 p.m. today at the museum.

The items honoring Walker will join the collection of treasured pieces that mark Wilson County's long and storied history of military service and sacrifice.

___

(c)2021 The Lebanon Democrat, Tenn.

Visit The Lebanon Democrat, Tenn. at www.lebanondemocrat.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.