Korean POW/MIA Veteran’s Remains Return Home
A 17-year-old Marion County boy, Latchie Jones wanted to fight for his country like his older brothers did.
When Latchie went to Korea, he was captured and sent to a Prisoner of War Camp.
The family was notified of his death three years later, but with no remains to bury.
But late last year, Latchia Jones, named after his beloved uncle, got a life changing call.
"(They said) they think they may have found Latchie."
He had been buried in a National Cemetery in Hawaii, misidentified as another soldier decades ago.
Modern forensic investigations proved the remains to be Latchie Jones.
His remains arrived in Nashville greeted by his family on Wednesday.
"I’m so thankful in my heart that he’s here at home back home in Tennessee, that’s where he’s supposed to be right here in the state of Tennessee," said Latchie’s older brother Mac Jones.
Latchie’s older sister who they call Mammie Lou is also still alive, but was too sick to attend the homecoming.
Lathcia says he visited her in the hospital and read her all the new details uncovered about her little brother.
"She cried and cried big tears she was so happy, it wasn’t tears of sadness it was tears of happy emotions" Latchia said.
With his family behind him, Latchie rode through the town of Jasper for the first time since he got on that greyhound bus that would begin his short lived journey to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
"He served his country he was a soldier he was a brave heart," said Latchia, "I think it is some closure to make sure this gets done right the proceedings that’s coming down the road in the next days is gonna be done right."
Latchie Jones will be buried on Friday at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
When Latchie went to Korea, he was captured and sent to a Prisoner of War Camp.
The family was notified of his death three years later, but with no remains to bury.
But late last year, Latchia Jones, named after his beloved uncle, got a life changing call.
"(They said) they think they may have found Latchie."
He had been buried in a National Cemetery in Hawaii, misidentified as another soldier decades ago.
Modern forensic investigations proved the remains to be Latchie Jones.
His remains arrived in Nashville greeted by his family on Wednesday.
"I’m so thankful in my heart that he’s here at home back home in Tennessee, that’s where he’s supposed to be right here in the state of Tennessee," said Latchie’s older brother Mac Jones.
Latchie’s older sister who they call Mammie Lou is also still alive, but was too sick to attend the homecoming.
Lathcia says he visited her in the hospital and read her all the new details uncovered about her little brother.
"She cried and cried big tears she was so happy, it wasn’t tears of sadness it was tears of happy emotions" Latchia said.
With his family behind him, Latchie rode through the town of Jasper for the first time since he got on that greyhound bus that would begin his short lived journey to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
"He served his country he was a soldier he was a brave heart," said Latchia, "I think it is some closure to make sure this gets done right the proceedings that’s coming down the road in the next days is gonna be done right."
Latchie Jones will be buried on Friday at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
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