LAWRENCE — Hundreds turned out for the funeral for James E. McCue, a 97-year-old veteran of World War II.

Mr. McCue died on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Cedarview Healthcare Center, Methuen. The decorated Army veteran had no known survivors, which prompted the local veterans officers to get the word out for people to attend the graveside services with military honors at the veteran’s lot at Bellevue Cemetery, Lawrence on February 14, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

Hundreds heeded the call.

Mr. McCue was born and raised in Lawrence and enlisted from his home at 43 Lexington St. in November 1943. He spent two years overseas, where he participated in five major battles in an anti-aircraft artillery unit, according to a story in the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune. McCue even landed in Normandy during D-Day in 1944, when Allied forces invaded northern France, the newspaper reported.

Before retirement he worked in the housekeeping department of Holy Family Hospital, Methuen. His wife, Margaret M. (Peron) McCue, died a few years ago.

“There’s no doubt that this gentleman was part of all those who helped liberate France and really made a difference,” said state Secretary of Veterans Affairs Francisco Urena, who attended the service. “We just wanted to make sure this gentleman gets remembered, in a sense, and his service. It mattered to all of us,” told the Eagle-Tribune.

All photos by Bill Brett