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

Associated Press

Last update: November 13, 2009 - 7:36 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

GOP congressmen criticize settlement with Sacramento mayor's nonprofit over use of grants - November 13, 2009

GOP congressmen criticize settlement with Sacramento mayor's nonprofit over use of grants - Two congressional Republicans say federal prosecutors rushed into a settlement with a nonprofit operated by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson that had been accused of misspending government grants. More