Joseph Powel Franklin

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Rich Miller on January 2, 2018:

JOE FRANKLIN WAS BID FAREWELL TODAY ... 22 DECEMBER 2017 Several hundred classmates, family, and friends met at the Old Post Chapel, on Ft. Myer, next to Arlington National Cemetery today, at 1pm, to say farewell to someone dear who touched all their lives. The crowd filled all the pews and the aisles on the sides and rear of the chapel. A contingent of West Point cadets, in dress grey uniforms stood at the back. The day was partly cloudy, temperature in the low fifties with light winds. Just enough wind to extend the two star general's flag and the US flag which preceded the casket to Joe's final resting place, high on a hill overlooking row upon row of headstones, marking other hero's graves. It was three days before Christmas and all the stark white headstones were individually decorated with green pine wreaths and red ribbons. Chaplain (Capt) Eric Bryan, Class of '95, conducted the chapel service. The Superintendant of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, LTG Robert Caslen, gave the eulogy, a heartfelt sentiment of what we all knew and loved about Joe. Joe's sons paid tribute to their father. Over twenty members of the West Point Alumni Glee Club sang "Mansions of the Lord" as the honor guard carried Joe's ashes to the front of the chapel. They ended the service singing the West Point Alma Mater and the words which so well applied to Joe, "May it be said well done, Be thou at peace." Joe's ashes were carried down the aisle, by the honor guard. General Caslen escorted Connie, and the family followed, out of the chapel to a flag draped casket on a waiting horse drawn gun caisson. An Army band and marching honor guard of soldiers from the famed "Old Guard Regiment" proceeded the caisson as did a rider-less, dark brown, cavalry horse with two well shined boots pointing backwards in the stirrups. Those who were able to walk a half mile to the gravesite followed Connie and family on foot. The rest followed in a long cavalcade of cars. MG Paul Hurley, Chief of Chaplains, US Army, conducted graveside services which included a thirteen gun cannon salute, three volleys by a seven member firing party and the playing of "Taps." The Honor Guard carefully folded the flag which had draped the urn and it was handed to Connie. I was unable to see who said this from where I stood, but it expressed the feelings of us all, "General Franklin, you have served the flag and now the flag serves you." Red roses were laid by the family on the urn. In the distance, the music of a bag piper, playing "Going Home" and "Amazing Grace", marked the end of the graveside services. All in attendance were invited to the Ft. Myer Officers Club for a reception following the services, to honor and celebrate Joe's life. A number of Joe's old friends came forward to share some memories of time spent with Joe during his lifetime of service in the Army and after retirement. Among our classmates who attended besides me and Mary Ann were: Tom and Ruth Horst Dick Auer Dave and Caye Wheeler Carl McNair Dan and Donna Ludwig Ted Gay Dick Traut Zach Hagedorn Jack Doyle Bob and Pat Strati Lorna Malooley Trudy Johnson Ed and Betsy Anderson Bill and Joan McCulla Don Hilbert Greta Mason Matt and Betty Schepps Mea Culpa ... if I missed someone. To view photos taken during Joe's funeral, please go to: https://www.mattoxphotographyanc.com/viewyourphotos Enter FRANKLIN2017 (not case sensitive) as the password. Rich Miller Joe's roommate, teammate, and LCA

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