AUGUSTA — Human ashes found in a house put on the market could have been discreetly disposed of in a wooded area, on a hillside, in a flower garden, or some place else. The realtor could have spirited those ashes away, but instead transferred them to a local funeral home. Long Funeral Home could have done the same, even after learning of the deceased’s World War II service.

The funeral home didn’t have to call Jeff Sukeforth, Adjutant and District 6 Commander of American Legion Post 30, in Camden. And, Sukeforth didn’t have to take those remains home with him while he planned a full ceremony interment with military honors at a Veterans Memorial Cemetery an hour away.

Veteran groups and their advocates did not have to interrupt other plans on a beautiful Thursday afternoon to pay their respects to a person they’d never heard of. Or call him their kin. Or acknowledge his sacrifice.

Every one of them is glad that they did what they did.

Under the direction of Camden Post 30’s Jeff Sukeforth, and under full military honors, the remains of Lucius Birbeck were interred at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery on Old Belgrade Road, in Augusta, Thursday afternoon, Oct. 29, 2026.

Patriot Guard Riders on motorcyles escorted the remains from the Camden funeral home to the Augusta cemetery, picking up more motorcycle participants along the way, for a bike procession of approximately 12 strong. American Legion members from around the state gathered. And also in attendance, having seen promotions of the ceremony in various newsletters and internet, was the Kennebec County Veterans Honor Guard, which voluntarily provides color guard and gun salutes in Kennebec County. (This day’s ceremony expresses appreciation for the Guard’s attendance).

The VA cemetery is free for all veterans; because the cemetery requires metal urns, Long’s provided the vessel; and the audience, who attended in celebration of all veterans, but specifically of “The Greatest Generation,” paid their own way to be there.

Because Arkansas funeral home paperwork was found with the cremains in that Camden house of distant relatives, the funeral home began with knowledge of Birbeck’s death, 25 years ago, in 2001.

With his name on the paperwork, Sukeforth and Mike Edgecomb started their investigation. (Edgecomb, who has ties to Spruce Head, is a ride captain for the Patriot Guard motorcycle escort group, which boasts approximately 700 Maine members, and 600,000 nationwide.) They tracked down a granddaughter in Texas, who, because of age, couldn’t deal with the ashes and also couldn’t travel to Maine for the ceremony. She did, however, express appreciation to the American Legion.

Another door also opened for Sukeforth and Edgecomb. A Rockland resident recognized the Birbeck name. That resident had an email address for Lucius’ son. But, don’t get your hopes up, the Legion was warned. The son lives in Ecuador. A response to the email may never come.

But, it did.

Again, however, age and distance played a factor.

On April 11, 1944, Lucius Birbeck was part of the B17 bomber crew of the “Flatbush Floogie” that made an emergency, involuntary, landing behind enemy lines and was taken prisoner. The crew’s photograph was snapped on that day, which is a rarity, according to Edgecomb, who found that photo, and the crew’s story on the internet. 

Birbeck remained a POW for 13 months, being released in May 1945. He then went on to serve a total of 31 years in the military, accumulating several medals before, and after, retiring on June 1, 1970.

He was a young man when he entered the military, according to Sukeforth. Like many others, he didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, answered the call, and became a radio operator aboard a B17.

“We can only imagine what was going through his mind during those long dark months behind barbed wire,” said Sukeforth. “Perhaps it was the memory of home. [Or] The resilience built into the fiber of his generation.”

He carried a quiet dignity to the abyss of war, and never blinked, Sukeforth said.

“We stand here today as your kin in uniform and community, proud to preserve your legacy," he said. "Proud to honor your sacrifice. Forever grateful for your service.”

When the speeches, prayers courtesy of Dave Franclemont, gun salute, and flag folding had faded, the human ashes were lovingly placed in the urn vault, section 12, box 11. A new resting place, not discreetly hidden away. With a name plate bearing his name.

As one member of Patriot Guard Riders said, “If we are not here for one another, why are we here?”

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com