Utah’s military officers ensure no veteran is forgotten — in life or death

BLUFFDALE — Utah’s military officers attend funerals for fallen veterans nearly every day. U.S. Army First Sgt. Corey Bybee and his team ensure that every veteran has a respectful farewell, whether their bodies are claimed by family or remain unknown.

Bybee joined the military in 1987 to find more meaning and purpose. He served in the National Guard and on active duty throughout his service, with his duties taking him to Asia, Europe, North America and Africa.

He now serves as the manager of all honor guards in the state of Utah. This means that he manages all funerals for veterans, claimed and unclaimed. Each week includes multiple funeral services across the state.

“You have to think that every veteran out there offered to give their life for their country. That is really cool. In return, we are giving them just a bit of respect for what they offered to give,” Bybee said.

Funeral services follow a specified standard operating procedure, which is the same across the country.

One of the unique aspects of the job includes working with the Missing in America project. The nonprofit visits mortuaries across the country to locate, identify and inter any unclaimed bodies. This could include the homeless, those who died with no immediate family, or those with other extenuating circumstances. DNA testing and other insights from coroners’ help.

Once the bodies are identified, if they are veterans, the organization cremates the remains and stores them at a warehouse. If discovered family members want the cremated remains, they may take them. However, in many cases, no family claims the remains. For those who are not claimed, the organization holds a ceremony for each of the fallen.

Each urn is placed on a motorcycle starting at Harley-Davidson and driven from Salt Lake City to the cemetery near Camp Williams. A police escort ensures that each veteran gets the respect deserved.

The Scottish-American Military Society is waiting at the edge of the cemetery, and the remains are marched to the chapel where Bybee’s team waits to give them a proper sendoff. Each urn is ceremoniously carried, and a flag is given to the American Legion, which accepts it on behalf of any family. Three volleys are fired and “Taps” is played at the ceremony.

Bybee and his team also help with the Utah Honor Flight program, which gives Utah veterans a chance to visit their respective memorials in Washington, D.C., receive honor for their service, and reflect on their time serving the country. Bybee’s team ensures that each veteran gets a warm welcome and much-deserved respect upon return to Utah.

Throughout his duties, Bybee continually remembers how much the veterans have done for the country.

“These guys deserve the best. They sacrifice so much,” he said. “When I started, we were doing a lot of World War II generations, considered the greatest generation of all time. Of course, I felt honored to serve them. Right now, we are doing a lot for Vietnam veterans. These guys had it rough; they deserve everything.”

While attending funerals may seem somber, Bybee maintains high standards for hope and respect while also enjoying every moment.

“I never get tired of it. … After doing 400 of these, there haven’t been two that are the same. Everyone is just a little bit different,” Bybee shared. “We get so many family members coming up and thanking us for doing this. They tell us that they loved it and how special it is.”

For Memorial Day, Bybee and his team will travel around the state to show respect for their fallen colleagues.