Until All the Fallen Are Found: Sgt. Charles C. Palmer Comes Home

Newsletter to the Kassel Mission Historical Society — volunteers & supporters. Until all the fallen are found.

The events at Sarasota National Cemetery on Monday, June 8, 2026 will forever be deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of the living family members of Technical Sergeant Charles C. Palmer, Jr. This day inked the final chapter of the 82-year-old story that began with the very dangerous Kassel Mission in Germany during WWII, where Charles’s plane was shot down by enemy fire on September 27, 1944.

For 82 years, Charles’s first cousin, 98-year-old Bonnie Rolquin, had known about this perilous mission but never had final closure until this day. At this solemn ceremony, with full military honors, Bonnie was accompanied by her children Deborah, James, Pam, and Skip, along with grandchildren and friends of the family.

The adventure of a lifetime for the entire Rolquin family began two months ago when Sgt. Major Rory Kamenicky called to introduce himself as our new Army liaison and said he would like to visit Bonnie the next week. A week later, at the precise and exact time, there was a knock on the door and a young man in full Army uniform. He brought with him a backpack of treasures: a book filled with Charles’s story — where he was stationed in England, what happened — and then he pulled out his computer. His Master Sergeant “Shorty” meticulously went over the archeological dig, what they found, and the DNA results proving a 99.9% match of Bonnie and Charles, her older first cousin. Rory also brought out of that military backpack the medals Charles earned posthumously, then asked if he could make a shadow box, take the medals, and return them on another day to be determined.

Photos were taken, and our wonderful Army representative performed throughout our experience with the utmost kindness and compassion — a heart made for his very sensitive assignment.

The date was chosen, and the people from the Kassel Mission Historical Society and the Hansen crew descendants began ‘bombarding’ the family with emails, facts, and the Kassel Mission website. YIKES! What is happening?

Then the date was set and confirmed. On June 6, Charles arrived with a welcome of water being sprayed over the plane, with an Army escort who stayed with him from beginning to end — which was at the funeral that evening. He was officially turned over to the family.

On June 8th, the day began with approximately 40 American Legion Freedom Riders escorting the hearse carrying Charles’s remains on a 100-mile journey from the funeral home in Bonita Springs, Florida to the National Cemetery in Sarasota. The family will always feel appreciation for these riders — deeply kind, compassionate, and committed to “the fallen.”

The ceremony began with a beautiful welcome to all in a prayer to God Almighty, from Pam Watson, Bonnie’s daughter. Dr. Stephen Grant, Bonnie’s pastor from First Presbyterian of Bonita, provided words of comfort, assurance, and hope. Randy Fleuriet, whose uncle was also a former Hansen crew MIA, provided a very touching recap of the Kassel Mission, sharing insight and details not previously known by family members. Captain Douglas Trojanowski spoke about the importance of the 700th Airlift Squadron and how, to this day, hangings on the walls of their offices continue to serve as reminders to current military members of the importance of the Kassel Mission. He retired the POW/MIA flag and memorial from its place in the squadron’s home and presented it to Bonnie Rolquin — a very touching moment representing that Charles was finally home.

On behalf of the Kassel Mission Historical Society, member Dan Kindelberger — whose grandfather was a survivor of the Kassel Mission — provided the family with relics from the downed plane, including a buckle that may very well have been part of a harness belt, likely worn by the top turret gunner, which was Charles’s position.

Throughout the event, family members and attendees felt blessed hearing hymns sung beautifully by a Naples, Florida resident, Anneke — “Abide with Me” and “Amazing Grace.”

There were many unexpected, memorable, and emotional moments, but the most powerful was when the Honor Guard presented Bonnie and the family with the Flag of the United States of America, both Color Guard members so solemn and professional. One of the Honor Guard members told Bonnie that the President of the United States and members of the U.S. Military thank Charles for his service and dedication — and also thank Bonnie and the family, which was obviously very touching.

The program concluded with a military salute, the rendition of Taps, the firing of guns, and, of course, the military flyover by the 700th group from Dobbins Air Force Base in Georgia.

Bonnie and the family were overwhelmed with the love, kindness, and sincere compassion of all involved in the celebration of Charles coming home to finally rest on American soil. There are no words to fully describe the peace the family took away on June 8, 2026 — a day they will never forget. It is with grateful hearts that we thank the Kassel Mission Historical Society, Sarasota National Cemetery, and all who came; strangers who became friends, and friends who were there to ensure Charles’s battle was over. Rest well, Charles. Well done, good and faithful servant.

— Pam Watson, on behalf of the Rolquin family