World War II veteran from St. Joseph, Missouri, receives homecoming after 80 years
By Matt Evans
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — For many of us, airports are about family. Modern air travel allows us to see our families spread out across the country or world more than any other time in human history.
On Tuesday afternoon, Carol Brooks was surrounded by her family at Kansas City International Airport.
“He’d love every minute of it,” Brooks said. “You know, big families, we get close. I’m close with all of these people. These are my cousins.”
The 92-year-old is the closest living relative to U.S. Army Sgt. Simon Garelick. The World War II veteran and St. Joseph, Missouri, native died in 1942 at a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines.
He was just 22 years old.
“He was just a delight. I don’t know why God didn’t let him live longer,” said Brooks. “But he was my favorite uncle.”
Buried in a mass grave, he was unaccounted for until the U.S. Army asked Brooks for a DNA sample that allowed them to officially identify his remains last year.
And on Tuesday, he returned home.
“Can you believe what you are seeing?” asked Brooks through tears as an American Airlines flight carrying his flag-draped casket arrived at KCI.
After a U.S. Army honor guard retrieved the casket from the cargo area, Garelick was finally surrounded by family once again.
“We’re talking about a man that died over 80 years ago who is now going to be resting with him family 80 years later in the same cemetery,” said Brooks. “You tell me a story like that.”
Garelick will be laid to rest alongside his mother and countless relatives Sunday at the historic Sheffield Jewish Cemetery in Kansas City. A family reunited – after more than 80 years.
“I know it’s the best place for him, and I’m glad they found him,” said Brooks. “I’m happy. (That’s) about all I’ve got to say. The rest is going to be in tears.”
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