Private Poulter Laid to Rest

(THE GREENUP FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD A FLAG FLYING ABOVE THE ENTRANCE TO JANESVILLE CEMETERY)

Army Private Harold Oscar Poulter was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon, 79 years after his death.

A graveside service for Private Poulter was held in Janesville Cemetery, located along the Cumberland-Coles county line. Poulter's remains were laid next to the graves of his father and mother, Rowe and Bessie Poulter. While all of Poulter's six siblings have passed along with their parents, some of the private's nieces and nephews were present for the ceremony. A member of the Army honor guard present for the ceremony presented the flag that had been placed on the casket to one of the private's nieces.

(THE PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG TO ONE OF PRIVATE POULTER'S NIECES)

Private Poulter was killed in action on February 8, 1945, just a couple of months before the end of the war in Europe. He was 23 years old. Poulter was killed in action near Biesdorf, Germany, but his remains were not recovered until 1951, and foresics weren't employed to identify his remains until 2022. The US Army flew Poulter's remains home this past Friday, and a military escort accompanied the remains to Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup. The escort from the airport in Indianapolis to Greenup included motorcycle riders from Rolling Thunder, a group of motorcyclists that perform such services as a way to say thank you to the fallen veterans. Members of Rolling Thunder were present for the graveside service on Tuesday.

(SEVERAL MEMBERS OF "ROLLING THUNDER" THAT HAD ACCOMPANIED PRIVATE POULTER'S REMAINS FROM THE AIRPORT IN INDIANAPOLIS TO GREENUP WERE ON HAND FOR TUESDAY'S FUNERAL)

Also present were representatives from Doric Products in Marshall and Rex Vault in Newton who, along with Barkley Funeral Chapel, donated their services and a stainless steel Athenian Burial Vault. The lid is emblazoned with the American flag and the US Army emblem. 

Welcome Home, Private Poulter!