Ceremony held for missing Vietnam service member

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The sound of taps, a wreath and an honor guard paid respects to Colonel Joseph Morrison. Morrison has been missing in action in Vietnam for 50 years.

“He was just Uncle Jay to us. He had a family that he was dedicated to and he was a very kind person,” said Charleen Morrison Bloom, Col. Morrison’s niece.

That family made an impromptu appearance. A delightful surprise for Rolling Thunder board member Todd Matonich.

“It’s everything to them to know that their service member, their family member is being remembered in the utmost form,” said Matonich.

Those honoring the airman were able to pay respects to his family in person, and Morrison’s family members were able to pay respects to him. Charleen Morrison Bloom was just a kid when he went missing.

“What I remember the most was my grandmother was just heartbroken and from that day on, her health really just went down. She lost her sight and she lost her hearing,” said Morrison Bloom.

Colonel Morrison might be gone, but thanks to a sign of compassion, his family got a little bigger.