CORVALLIS, Ore. (KOIN 6) — The family of a World War II veteran whose grave has been unmarked for ten months is finally getting a marker, after a series of delays from the Veteran’s Administration.
A grave stone will arrive tomorrow for George Orr, a well-loved uncle, brother and son, who served in the Navy during the war. Currently, that legacy is not reflected by his resting place, which has no marker.
“There’s nothing there, I mean it’s appalling,” said George Orr’s niece, Elizabeth May. “We loved our uncle and it just hurts, and it hurts my dad,” she said.
The family has deep military roots, as George is one of four brothers who served together, following in the footsteps of their father. George Orr’s brother, David Orr, said he still misses his brother after losing him last fall.
“George was like, one of my favorite brothers,” he said. He remembers him as a fun loving man who enjoyed music – so the family brought a smart phone and a speaker to George’s grave to share his favorite song with him once again.
David Bayard of the Veterans Administration said because an executor of Orr’s will, rather than a family member, applied for the grave maker it led to several delays.
Then, more delays when the marker was shipped.
“The shipping company noticed that it was broken and they sent it back,” Bayard said.
Still, May wishes the broken marker had been placed on the grave in the mean time. The new marker will arrive at the Hilltop Cemetery in Corvallis tomorrow.
“He was a real fine man, I’ll be glad,” said David Orr.