Coming home: Patriot Guard riders help take Civil War Veteran to Maine

Montana members of the Patriot Guard Riders did their part last week to get a Civil War Veteran to his home state of Maine.

Lewis Wendt and other members of the guard stopped in Whitehall to get gas early Wednesday morning. They were on their way to Billings with the remains of Jewett Williams, who passed away July 17, 1922 in Oregon. Patriot Guard Riders throughout the nation are joining to help get Williams to his home state of Maine, where he will be buried September 17 at the Togus National Cemetery with full Military Honors.

Wendt said Williams had no next of kin, and he could not think of a bigger honor than helping to transport his remains home.

"We will stand for any Veteran," he said.

Williams was born in 1844, and enlisted in Company H of the 20th Main Volunteer Infantry Regiment in 1864.

He passed away at the Oregon State Hospital in 1922 and his remains were never claimed, and have been in the custody of the state of Oregon.