A Polk County military hero has finally been laid to rest, bringing closure for his family.
Colonel Peter Stewart was listed as missing in action for 52 years after his plane was shot down over Vietnam. But his wife and six children in Winter Haven never gave up hope.
“The community here in Winter Haven has rallied around us and it has been absolutely awesome. All six kids have had close friends, and friends with my mother have walked this journey with us and no one ever forgot,” said his son, Bill Stewart.
The family always knew someday, he would come home.
After more than five decades, they finally had the chance to say goodbye to a husband, father and friend.
On Monday, a funeral was held for the hero at Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church in Winter Haven, with full military honors.
“It has been a bit of a rollercoaster being young and trying to deal with learning that you may or may not have a parent,” Bill said. “He was a loving father, a teacher to all of us, and an incredible husband to my mom.”
“The experience has been surreal. For 52 years they’ve been questioning and this week they got an answer,” Col. Stewart’s granddaughter Margaret Stewart said.
Margaret never met her grandfather but said she felt honored to be able to say goodbye.
The husband and father of six flew 70 combat missions in World War II and re-enlisted to serve in the Korean War.
Then in 1965, he went to Vietnam where, at the age of 48, he would fly more combat missions, including one that would take his life when his plane was shot down.
The remains of the Air Force veteran were located recently during an excavation in Vietnam, including his St. Christopher medal.
Colonel Stewart’s wife Margaret is now 94 years old. She, along with their six children, never doubted their hero would come back.
“He makes us all proud,” said his granddaughter Margaret.