NEW YORK — When the family of a Harlem man began arranging his burial at a veterans’ cemetery, they were shocked to learn that the body of a man with the same name, Social Security number and military honors was already there.
Now Willie Hayes’ family wants the remains of the man, who was buried in 2003, removed from Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island.
“If he didn’t serve in the Army, he shouldn’t be there. It’s not fair to the veterans. He stole my brother’s identity,” Hayes’ brother, Sylvester, said Monday.
The real Willie Hayes, who died Sept. 30 at age 59, was buried Friday, but only after the family and a funeral home in Harlem provided Calverton, which is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, with documentation of his military service, including the medals he earned.
Isaiah Owens, the funeral home owner who helped arrange the burial, said it was difficult to learn the real identity of the man buried in the plot because he had no relatives and his burial was arranged by the city.
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