Urn with veteran's ashes stolen day before scheduled burial at Arlington National Cemetery

Associated Press

Last update: November 13, 2009 - 7:29 PM

WASHINGTON - An urn containing the ashes of a decorated Korean War veteran has been stolen from a van the soldier's family rented to attend his burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

The family of retired Army Col. Norbert Otto Schmidt went ahead with the burial Friday. Instead of the ashes being put in a grave, Schmidt gets a headstone in a part of the cemetery for former soldiers whose remains are missing.

The 83-year-old Schmidt, of Satellite Beach, Fla., died Aug. 4. His remains were stolen Thursday from a van his family rented to drive from Florida to Washington. Jewelry and electronics were also taken from the van.

___

Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com

Recent Nation stories

Washington Post to close bureaus in NY, Los Angeles & Chicago; 6 reporters go back to DC - November 13, 2009

Washington Post to close bureaus in NY, Los Angeles & Chicago; 6 reporters go back to DC - The Washington Post will close its remaining U.S. bureaus in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago at the end of the year to save money and will focus news efforts on covering the nation's capital. More