Valley veteran's ashes found abandoned in storage unit

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A veteran whose ashes were found in a local abandoned storage unit -- will get a proper burial service.

This past Memorial Day Weekend, Bob Protzman was approached with a box full of ashes. A county-issued urn was found in an auctioned off storage unit with nothing but a soldier's name.

"He served honorably for our country and for him to be in the state that he was is unacceptable," said Protzman, who's a coordinator for the Missing in America Project. The group is the first of its kind in the valley, and provides burial services for forgotten soldiers. Protzman says this deceased soldier is from the Fresno area and died 15 years ago according to Department of Defense records.

"He was a machinist mate, and he also was awarded a valor medal. An air medal as they called it in world war two, so he served with honor and valor," said Protzman. He hasn't found any family members and is required to wait for one month to conduct a burial ceremony.

The American Legion Post will escort the remains to San Joaquin National cemetery in Santa Nella.

"We don't leave people behind on the battle field and we come home...we don't leave them behind again," said Post 509 Vice Commander Bob Mclaughlin.

Protzman says they aren't publically identifying the veteran until 30 days after the next of kin is notified. You can also donate to the cause online at www.miap.us.

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