SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — UPDATE | A newpaper reports Edward K. Pearson did, in fact, have immediate kin.

ORIGINAL STORY | Hundreds of people showed up to a veteran’s funeral in Sarasota after learning the man had no family.

Edward K. Pearson passed August 31. He was 80 years old.

HONORING A HERO! Look at that crowd! Hundreds are gathering in Sarasota to honor a veteran who died without any family. At this point, there’s still 30 min before the service starts! https://t.co/aX2lg4Uumj pic.twitter.com/BGXyQzrCKS

— John Rogers (@WFLAJohn) October 1, 2019

Because Pearson had no immediate family to come to his funeral, the public is welcome to attend.

His public service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 12:30 p.m. at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

The cemetery is located at 9810 State Road 72 in Sarasota.

Watch the full service here:

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