SILSBEE, Texas — Community members in Hardin County came together for a final salute to a U.S. Army veteran.
12News first shared Boyce Langford's story Tuesday night.
Langford, who died suddenly on April 6 at the age of 78, had no funeral plans set up for him nor any family available to attend his service.
So, the people of Hardin County stepped up to make sure Langford received a hero's escort out of town.
The journey to honor the former soldier began on East Avenue G in Silsbee.
Firefighters from the Silsbee Volunteer Fire Department led the way from Farmer Funeral Home to his final resting place in Houston.
"Anytime we have any of our military veterans that have passed away, we need to honor his service to our country and service to our community," says Silsbee VFD fire marshal Brad Penisson. "That's what volunteer fire departments are all about as well."
Langford served in the U.S. Army in the 1960s, fighting in Vietnam.
When he died on April 6, citizens realized he would most likely be alone at his service.
With no family able to bury him, they began fighting for the veteran to make sure Langfrod was remembered.
"I didn't even know the man, but you got to honor him," says Vietnam veteran Lawrence Smith. "It's important, very important."
A few people lined the street outside Farmer Funeral Home to send him off.
Fire departments along the way jumped in on the escort, as well as bikers, to ensure Langford had company.
Brothers East Motorcycle Club rider Joe Kennedy says "Any time, especially a veteran, who is without a family, we're going to come out and support that so that he's not alone."
Langford was laid to rest at the Houston National Cemetery Wednesday afternoon.
Attendance at his funeral service was not huge, but thanks to the Farmer Funeral Home, Patriot Guard Riders (Golden Triangle) and others...a community's mission was accomplished.
Langford had been living in Silsbee for more than a decade and was born in the Wichita Falls area.