Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) -- There was a reunion Monday in Louisville for 32 veterans dating back to the first World War whose cremated remains were found at the University of Louisville after sitting in a warehouse for two decades.
The cremains were moved to UofL after being abandoned at a closed, vandal-ridden cemetery and the Missing in America Project began searching for them two years ago.
The purpose of the MIAP is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans.
Project investigators said they believe this is the largest recovery of cremated veterans in American history.
"These are men that have served our country and served it well, and came home and at the time of their death were cremated and then disrespectfully lost. But we found them," Walt Oster, MIAP investigator, said.
Hundreds gathered to honor 32 veterans whose cremated remains went missing.
Veterans and supporters started their funeral procession at the Louisville Memorial Garden and Cemetery.
"I was very impressed to see all the motorcycles outside. These guys are heart and soul veterans and it really does my heart well," says Purple Heart veteran Lucian Young.
The remains were sent to U of L for safe keeping because of fears that they would be dumped out at the cemetery, so thieves could take the bronze urns.
