World War II veteran finally laid to rest in Marana

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A World War II veteran was finally laid to rest in Marana on Friday, April 19.

“The peace this burial will provide to the family, both present and past is a special gift to my family,” said Joanne lowry, niece to U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Harold Lynn Seifreid.

Seifreid, who was killed in Burman in December 1943, was honored at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana.

Seifreid was aboard a B-24-J Liberator Bomber when it went down. He and the entire crew were killed.

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Seifreid’s remains were not found until 1947 when they were found in a mass grave. It then took until 2023 for his remains to be identified.

He received full military honors in the event on Friday.

“Now you can truly rest in peace,” Joanne said during the memorial. “It is that makes us so proud of our country, the country, Harold Seifried gave his life for. Uncle Harold, you are now home. Home here in the mainland, surrounded by your military family and your relatives.”

Joanne, who lives in Oro Valley, played a vital part in identifying and reuniting her uncle with the family.

“It is humbling to have our DNA match in that we could finally bring my uncle home,” she said. “I am grateful to have been part of this process and thankful my uncle Harold can finally be laid to rest.”

Even though they never met, Marleen Lowry said she sees herself in her grandfather, who was also known as Howie.

“Howie was a jokester, he was the one kidding around and the one joking,” she said. “The one playing games, and wanting everybody to smile, wanting everybody to be happy and I think I got that trait from him even though I never got to meet Howie.”

Those who served said it’s important to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, even if you never met them.

“The sacrifices the military and their members make is outstanding,” said Keith Jones of the Marana Veterans Club. “We are here to honor that and to remember our fallen.”

Seifreid’s family it’s important for others to never give up hope. Because even though it may take years there are people working to bring our veterans back home.

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