This time, Martha personally selected the flowers: fresh white roses, bright sunflowers from her neighbor’s garden, and small sprigs of rosemary.

The casket remained open throughout the service.

Thomas was dressed in his own clean work shirt, with his silver medal resting against his chest.

There was no borrowed jewelry, no forced wedding ring, and no stolen name.

Several retired road workers who had known Thomas decades ago attended the service to pay their respects.

Nora Ellis, the social worker who had helped reunite the family, traveled down to attend as well.

She presented Martha with a small photo album containing pictures from Thomas’s time at the care facility.