SARASOTA, Fla. – As we first reported on Monday, Army Private Christopher North lost his life while in Iraq after being hit by a roadside bomb in 2007 and was laid to rest at Sarasota Memorial Park Cemetery. After recent vandalism to his grave, North's mother decided to move him to the Sarasota National Cemetery.
The only problem: she can’t afford the disinterment fee charged by the Sarasota Memorial Park – a fee she finds exorbitant.
Since our story aired we’ve gotten calls from people here on the Suncoast to as far away as Kansas, and they are all rallying in support of moving Christopher North to the National Cemetery.
"I’m disgusted that the family has had to go through this," says Sarasota resident Colonel John W. Saputo. “We, our country and our community sends its soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors off to war, [and] it’s incumbent upon us when they come back -- either wounded or in this case dead -- that we as a community need to provide every single bit of aid and comfort we can to the families "
Col. Suputo isn't alone in his thoughts.
"If they can’t take care of the grave like they should, then they should want to help his mom move him to a place where he can rest in peace," says Ryan Kimble. He was stationed in Iraq and was there the day Christopher’s Humvee was hit by the roadside bomb.
"To know that this was happening to his grave, it infuriated me,” Kimble says. “Especially after everything we went through on that deployment up until whenever he was killed."
The situation has touched many more people, as well.
"There were veterans and family members here at Fort Riley -- some clear cross the country, some that are even stationed in Germany -- and we were all appalled by this story and we all banded together to get in contact with his mom,” says Jenna Kimble. “He's an American hero. His memory should be given the up most respect."
The response has had Christopher's mother tearing up.
"It’s just been overwhelming and wonderful that the love for Christopher is still out there," says Cheryl Riedler, North’s mother.
People aren't just showing their support with words. Many, including Col. Saputo are willing to put their money where their mouth is.
"I make this thing easier on the family myself, my family and my company Budweiser will be glad to pay whatever fees their are immediately to Memorial Park to get this soldier buried the way this family wants him buried," Col. Saputo says.
Stay tuned for a future (and hopefully positive) developments to this story.
