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Service Held For Lynn WWII Vet Who Died With No Known Kin

WINCHENDON (CBS) -- About 150 people came to the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon Monday to honor a Massachusetts WWII veteran who died nine years ago with no known kin.

Sgt. Leroy Blaisdell was born in Lynn and joined the U.S. Army Air Force about three weeks after Pearl Harbor in 1941. When he died in 2008 in Florida, his remains were cremated, and ended up in the Veterans' Services office in Ipswich.

Veterans' Services Officer Karen Tyler decided it was time Blaisdell was laid to rest.

"I wanted to do the right thing by him, and bring him to where he does have family and friends--among all the other veterans that have served for this country," said Tyler.

Veterans' groups, police, and others showed up Monday to honor Sgt. Blaisdell in a memorial service with full military honors.

"I was really happy to see such a big turnout," said Tyler. "He's getting what he deserves."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports

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