DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Strangers laid an unclaimed Air Force veteran to rest in her hometown of Dandridge, Tennessee on Saturday.
Over 100 people, including veterans and community members, chose to pay their respects to a woman they never met.
Charlotte "CJ" Birch was from Dandridge, but died from pancreatic cancer while living in Pennsylvania. Her remains weren't claimed by family for over a year and a half.
One of Birch's close friends who lives in Illinois, Genie Wachter, decided her friend deserved a proper burial. She took the 81-year-old Air Force veteran's ashes down to Hills Union Cemetery in Dandridge, where she belongs.
"Today is a very special day," Wachter said. "My friend CJ, Charlotte Birch, finally comes to rest here with her husband and it's a closure."
An obituary was posted on Farrar Funeral Home's Facebook page for Birch. The post blew up from community members sharing, encouraging people to attend Birch's funeral so she wasn't laid to rest without a proper sendoff.
"If family isn't here, the veterans will come out and support," Wachter smiled.
Genie and the strangers served as Birch's family.
There were a few people in attendance who remembered Birch from when she lived in Dandridge, but the majority were just there for support.
A 21 gun salute and taps were played during the ceremony. Wachter received a folded American Flag for Birch.
Wachter said her friend is looking down and smiling, because she knew where she was going.
"She said 'I'm not afraid to die,' and because she knew where she was going," Wachter said. "She was here for 81 years, but she was secure where her eternity would be, which is more important than a measly 81 years."
Now red, white and blue flowers are placed on Birch's grave next to her WWII Navy veteran husband. Her arrival home was met with honor.