Skeletal remains of Korean War veteran killed in Korean War returned home to Georgia

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - A procession from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Conner-Westbury Funeral Home was held on Thursday morning as the remains of Georgia native and Korean War veteran, PFC Lamar Eugene Newman was returned to his home state.

PFC Newman was born in Griffin, Georgia in 1931 and joined the United States Army in 1949. He went on to serve his country in the Korean War. He received a Purple Hearts after modern technology revealed he was killed in action. His remains were discovered in North Korea in 2000.

PFC Newman's niece, Denise O'Neal, says although the family did not know about the remains, her mother and brother, both of whom have since passed away, provided DNA samples in 2001 hoping there was an outside chance their loved one remains would be found. O'Neal insists this is not a sad day.

" Finally, he's back home where it started," says O'Neal.

A funeral for PFC Newman will take place on March 2 at 11 a.m. in the Veterans section of Oak Hill Cemetery. He will be laid to rest with full military honors, along with a full police escort. 

If family members or friends would like to honor PFC Newman by posting tributes and memories click here.