FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Fort Smith and surrounding communities were invited to attend the funeral of a local Vietnam War Veteran with no known family.
Roy Snelgrove, a 72-year-old Veteran of the United States Army, passed away on Feb. 10. According to his obituary, he was preceded in death by his wife and parents. With no other known immediate family, Snelgrove is said to be survived by his "many case managers and case workers and the veteran's community throughout the entire River Valley."
"We wanted Roy to know that he wasn't alone, even after death,” Stephen Wright, post commander for Fort Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, said.
Snelgrove was laid to rest with military honors at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.
"The veteran community as a whole and his caseworker who was here at the funeral serving as the next of kin to receive his flag,” Wright said.
His case manager, Keisha Hogue, assisted Snelgrove in his last months while he was hospitalized with a severe medical condition.
Hogue is a case manager at St. Francis House working with homeless veterans. She met Roy while he was going through transition. "I was able to help him get relocated into his new place and worked with him on budgeting, getting his financials under control. And you know, you develop a bond," Hogue said.
Hogue was the one who reached out to the Fort Smith VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and notified them of Roy's time in the Army during the Vietnam War. She wanted to make sure he wasn't forgotten, alone, or deprived of Military Funeral Honors due to family not claiming his remains.
"A lot of people forget about our veterans and I'm not one," Hogue said.
When asked to share how Roy was as a person, Hogue laughed. "How can I say it? When you'd first stand at his door, he'd just yell at you to come on in. He was just one of those people that have that personality— he'd let you come right in. You know, he was just magnetic."
She said they were already laughing within 10-15 minutes of meeting. Hogue said another thing that made Roy special was his vulnerability and willingness to accept help from others.
"For a man of his stature, to know that he needed help and accept it?" It's a rare thing in her line of work.
"A lot of people forget about veterans and I'm not one. I fought hard for this. I'm not willing to let Roy's legacy go," Hogue said.
The motorcycle organization SADA led the funeral procession, starting at Lewis Funeral Chapel to the Fort Smith Cemetery.
The U.S. Army Honor Guards provided Military Funeral Honors, with dozens of fellow veterans and community members honoring Roy Snelgrove's legacy.
“It was really fantastic that we showed up in full force to let one of our comrades know that he's not alone,” Wright said.
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