Community meets for soldier's funeral

BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI) - There was an outpouring of support Saturday, for a local soldier that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

"It's just to show the respect that he gave his life, so we could live here in America, and he's back on American soil," Vickie Chamberlain said.

Crowds gathered at French's Funeral Home in Brazil to honor Corporal Robert Archer.

"It's just so overwhelming and emotional," LaDonna Gerbick said.

Unlike some soldier funerals, this one was years in the making.

Corporal Archer died more than 60 years ago.

"It's been many years not knowing.  Hopefully, it's a comfort to them to not only have him home but to see the community support and [acknowledge] his service," American Legion Riders Post 2 Director David Funk said.

Corporal Archer's nephew, James Archer, is a member of the American Legion Riders, Post 2.

"The American Legion Riders, we're honored to come out and escort him home," Funk said.

Family of the veteran from distant generations gathered to remember him.

"For the grandchildren, I think it's been an experience for Jim.  It's a little bit of history, obviously," Gerbick said.

However, most of the folks that attended never knew him.

"We're just glad to see that he's back home and maybe that can help bring some closure to his family," Ron and Vickie Chamberlain said.

It was a long overdue goodbye.

"Brazil: like many other small towns, there's a lot of history and a lot of dedication to service men and women. We understand the sacrifices that they go though and the families go through while they're deployed," Funk said.

This one brought the whole community together.

"It really makes you feel good to see so many of the veterans, the motorcycles, the flags.  It's nice; it's a nice community to live in," Vickie Chamberlain said.

Corporal Archer was buried Saturday afternoon at Summit Lawn Cemetery.