Page A26 October 2022 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A Eisenhower was buried in his World War II uniform. It consisted of “pink” trousers and the olive green “Ike” jacket that he made famous. Although he was one of the most decorated military men in history, his uniform had only the following medals: Army Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. At 11:00 AM on March 29th, the body arrived at Bethlehem Chapel, Washington National Cathedral, with an honor escort of generals and admirals. After a brief ceremony for family, honor guard, and honorary civilian pallbearers, the body laid in repose for 28 hours. The next day, the casket was carried from the chapel to Gawler’s funeral coach. The funeral cortege moved to 16th and Constitution Avenue, where the President’s casket was placed on a caisson. The funeral procession moved down Constitution Avenue to the Capitol for the ceremony, musical honors, and a 21-gun salute. Inside the Capitol rotunda, a presidential wreath was placed by the casket, and the body was to lie in state until the following morning. The public was admitted to the Capitol rotunda to file past the casket. At 4:00 PMonMarch 31st, the casket was carried to Gawler’s funeral coach to be returned to theWashington National Cathedral, where an Episcopal funeral service was attended by 2,107 persons who were admitted by ticket only. President Nixon declared March 31st as a day of national mourning and ordered flags on all Federal buildings to be flown at half-mast for thirty days. Tributes were received from ex-Presidents Harry S. Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson, from British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, as well as from Queen Elizabeth II, French President Charles de Gaulle, and Pope Paul VI. By Todd Van Beck President Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in 1890 in Denison, Texas, but grew up in Abilene, Kansas. During World War II, he was supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. He was supreme commander of NATO forces from 1950 to 1952 until he was elected president. During his term in office, he brought the Korean Conflict to a close, and the United States experienced a period of prosperity. He retired to private life in 1961. Eisenhower had been a heavy smoker all of his adult life and had suffered several heart attacks. By the beginning of 1969, it was clear that he was suffering from terminal heart disease. On March 28, 1969, Eisenhower died at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC. Upon his death, his body was transferred to Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home for embalming and burial preparation. Mr. Joseph E. Hagan, longtime manager of Gawler’s, was the lead funeral director serving the Eisenhower family. Mr. Hagan died in 2000. Dwight David Eisenhower the thirty-fourth President of the United States of America Rest in Peace, Mr. President. That was the hope...that our presidents would rest in peace, but that has not always happened. For example, between 1865 and 1901 Lincoln’s remains were moved 18 times. Funerals are a reflection of how people live their lives, and this remains true for the funerals of our U.S. presidents. This series offers a glimpse into the deaths and funerals of our presidents, while offering overdue recognition to the scores of funeral professionals who labored ceaselessly to carry out the wishes of the presidents, their families, and in some cases, the wishes of the United States government. Each account tells an interesting story. —TVB Following the funeral, the casket was placed in Gawler’s funeral coach for the trip to the Union Railroad Station in Washington where it would travel to Abilene. On April 2, 1969, the funeral train arrived in Abilene, Kansas. The funeral coach of local Abilene funeral director Paul J. Martin was waiting to transfer the President’s remains to his final burial site. At 10:30 AM, the final funeral interment took place on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. The service began on the steps of the library and concluded inside the Place of Meditation, the chapel where Eisenhower is buried. At the time of Eisenhower’s death, the press paid much attention to the fact that his casket was an $80.00, 20-gauge, gun-gray, government-issue which had been personally requested by Eisenhower. The only difference between his casket and those furnished for any soldier buried by the Army is an inner glass seal that cost an extra $115. It was lined with tailored eggshell crepe. The press failed to mention that the entire funeral service between Washington, DC and Abilene, Kansas cost over $5 million dollars. F U N E R A L H O M E & C E M E T E R Y N E W S w w w . N o m i s P u b l i c a t i o n s . c o m Monthly Columnsonline at Todd W. Van Beck is the Director of Professional Development at Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he began his career 40 years ago. He is one of the best known and most wellregarded practitioners, educators, writers and speakers in the funeral profession. On May 30, 2018 Van Beck celebrated 50 years in funeral service. You can reach Todd at 615-327-3927. Rest In Peace, Mr. President Funeral Directors Research,Inc. AMRA INSTRUMENT, LLC 623 N. Tower (P.O. Box 359) Centralia, WA 98531 “the shorter the supply line the better off you are” WEB DIRECT GIFT & PRICING TM ® www.amrainstruments.com www.preproomdirect.com Department of Defense Officials to attend NFDA Convention Defense Department officials will attend the National Funeral Directors Association International Convention and Expo October 9-12 in Baltimore to exchange information, demonstrate military funeral honors support and share preparation standards. Department engagement is critical to promoting Military OneSource resources in support of death care professionals, who are critical partners in providing services to military families and veterans. Visit https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ 2022 NFDA Convention Preview Professional Women’s Conference Reconnect Sunday, October 9 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Women Making Waves in Baltimore If you didn’t want the Professional Women’s Conference to end, you’re not alone! Let’s reconnect in Baltimore with special guest Annette March-Grier. It’s time to mingle, network and share some refreshments with other women in funeral service at The Camden Terrace, Level 300. This unique event is generously sponsored by NGL. RSVP to Christina Von Den Bergh at 262-814-1563 Closing Celebration Wednesday, October 12 6:30 PM – 9 PM The National Aquarium Ranked as one of the nation’s top three aquariums, the National Aquarium offers aweinspiring and award-winning exhibits that are sure to wow you. Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, you can take in views of the harbor while exploring the aquarium.
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