Welcome home sailor . . . thank you

ELMA - As flags were flown at half-staff around the State of Iowa, John Mark Mulick finished his journey.

His remains were escorted home by Iowa State Troopers, Patriot Guard members and Legion Riders to Calvary Cemetery at Elma, his final resting place.

The family of John Mark Mulick waited nearly 80 years for him to return home. He finally made it on July 31, 2021.

Mulick, forever 21, was laid to rest with about 75 veterans and 250 or more area folks paying their respects to a young man who sacrificed his life for the freedom of others.

It was a solemn time as the crowd watched his casket being gently removed from the funeral coach. The six members of the Military Funeral Honors National Guard team (out of the Joint Forces Head Quarters, near Camp Dodge) took their precious cargo to the Mulick family grave site.

 

Speaker Dinger

Riceville native and former Ambassador Larry Dinger gave a short history of Mulick. He started by explaining he himself is a relative through marriage. His wife, Paula Gaffey Dinger’s dad, Paul, was a first cousin of Mulick.

The U.S. Navy Hospital Apprentice 1st Class was always called “John Mark” since there were so many “Johns” in the family. As soon as Mulick graduated from high school, he enlisted in the military. “In part, the explanation may have been that the Great Depression was still under way; jobs were scarce.

“Patriotism was another likely factor. Germany, Italy and Japan were already engaged in war; it appeared the U.S. would soon also have to be involved in what became World War II.”

Dinger also felt Mulick had a sense of adventure. “Like me. He wanted to join the Navy to see the world.”

The family was informed he was missing in action after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He had been on the USS Oklahoma that was one of the first ships to sink. It was not for another two months that his death was confirmed.

“John Mark’s untimely death was never forgotten. His cousin, Paul Gaffey enlisted in the Army Air Corps and flew combat missions in World War II as a gunner. In subsequent years, Paul often spoke fondly of John Mark, and he named one of his sons Mark John Gaffey in honor of his cousin.”

[Mulick stayed with the Oklahoma until it was raised in mid-1943. He was then buried in one of 52 plots with 400 other unidentified sailors in Hawaii.]

Thanks to DNA technology, the military has identified POW/MIA remains from the Vietnam War. It then turned its attention to unidentified WWII dead. In November 2019, Mulick’s remains were identified thanks to DNA from a cousin, Jack Adams, who served for many years in the U.S. Army. [Mulick was brought to Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville on July 19, 2021.]

“At long last, John Mark Mulick and his family are reunited,” Dinger concluded.

 

Speaker Nowakowski

Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML) Robert Nowakowski, Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command/Deputy Commander, Navy Education and Training Command, commended Mulick and the people of Elma.

“It is an honor to be here. I volunteered for a couple of reasons. First, my wife is an Iowa native, from Oxford. Second, I went to Iowa State and am a Cyclone fan . . . and a Hawkeye fan . . . through marriage!”

The Rear Admiral  explained he flew from San Diego to Rochester and stayed there. Coming to Iowa, he took the scenic route (to check out the crops). “Along the way, I wanted to think about this sailor and think about what he would be doing today if he was alive. Where would he be living? What would his grandkids be doing?”

Nowakowski wondered how much the community was affected because of Mulick’s loss. “One out of 400-plus is a big deal. In a community where everyone relies on one another, that’s a big deal. I wanted to meet the people he never got a chance to meet.” [Two other men from Elma and one from Alta Vista also lost their lives during WWII.] 

Nowakowski then went to Elma Park at 8 a.m. and sat at a picnic table, contemplating a life lost.

He looked around and thanked the first responders, military and veterans, as well as the crowd that showed up who never knew John Mark Mulick. “That tells me you guys really do appreciate the sailor who sacrificed his life nearly 80 years ago.”

He learned that Elma is a “kick a** town! As I was driving around, three people stopped to ask if I was lost.  I saw nearly every house had an American flag. I was ready to do sit-ups, push-ups and do a run. That’s why you are here today. You are patriotic.”

He said by coming home, Mulick’s sacrifice was finally able to be validated.

The rear admiral ended by comparing the world in 1940 and today.

“When John Mulick enlisted, there was competition for global power. In the last 20 years, we haven’t had a competitor. As a nation we have adversaries. China is coming close. It has more war ships than the United States. Russia is back. They hate each other but hate us more.”

He noted even with all their power, if it came to a war, the United States would win. “It’s because of people like you. People like him (indicating the casket). Our people have willpower and unity.

“John made a difference, as did his shipmates. Thank you for your service Petty Officer Mulick. Welcome back.”

 

More from the service

Three Army soldiers gave the rifle volley and “Taps” was played.

Partway through Nowakowski’s speech, there was a small medical emergency, when one of the veterans felt faint. When he was taken care of, the rear admiral faced the family and noted John Mark Mulick would appreciate the first responders who were there to help, as he had been a Navy Hospital Apprentice.

Another emotional moment was yet to come as the flag was carefully folded and handed to the rear admiral, who then presented the flag to family members. 

In a post to Facebook’s “You might be from Elma, Iowa if you remember when?” page, Mulick’s relative, Theresa Gaffey, thanked everyone who attended the ceremony. “I gave the flag presented to me to the Elma Legion, which is where it belongs. Thank you, Mike Bigley, for giving it a final home.”

A representative of the Patriot Guards gave a plaque thanking the family for Mulick’s sacrifice.

Elma Legion Commander Tony Roethler addressed the family for the WWII sailor. “On behalf of the American Legion, John Frahm Post 597, and local quilters, we want to present to you this [Quilt of Valor] in remembrance of John’s service, dedication to the country and for giving the ultimate sacrifice.”

He later commented the Navy conducted the ceremony in a very professional and courteous manner.

Also attending the ceremony was Kelly Sullivan, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan and great-niece of George, Francis, Joseph and Madison — the five Sullivan brothers. She said it was her first service of laying to rest a sailor killed at Pearl Harbor. She said, “It was by far one of the most emotional events I’ve ever been to.”

Elma Legion member Mike Bigley said, “It was a very nice ceremony. They treated John Mulick with the utmost respect. The Elma Legion pays respect to all veterans in the immediate Elma area. Not quite as shiny as the one we witnessed Saturday but close!”

Katie Hudek of Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, which helped the family, said, “The Navy did a nice job of communicating what their expectations were for the graveside service at the cemetery.  Our funeral home started working with the Navy and Mulick family back in April.  

“A week before the burial, the Navy sent a team to rehearse which way the funeral coach would come in, and where they would like us to park for the Navy pallbearers to bring John Mark out of the coach and carry him to his place of rest.  “They made the whole process from getting John Mark from Offutt Air Force Base to his final resting place very easy.  Home is the sailor, home from sea.”