F-15s and 21-gun salute: Moving funeral for WWII soldier at Lone Oak Cemetery

Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial
Updated ·2 min read
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LEESBURG — Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall has come home.

As reported by Frank Stanfield in his Dec. 1 story, the remains of the World War II airman — unaccounted for since 1944 — were identified in July by a DNA match provided by the long-lost soldier's nephews. Beyers Funeral Home received his body on Dec. 15. Hall was just 21 years old when he died.

On Sunday, Jan. 21, he was buried in Lone Oak Cemetery, returning to a “Hero’s Highway Welcome Home Procession” from U.S. 441 to Canal Street, to Main Street to Thomas Road to Lone Oak Cemetery. Hall's nephews, Jeff and Judd Hester, were in attendance, and some 500 members of the community, veterans and others braved the cold January day to pay their respects.

Patriot Guard Riders, veterans and relatives poured into Loan Oak Cemetery during funeral for Leesburg High grad and Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall, who died in France during World War II.
Patriot Guard Riders, veterans and relatives poured into Loan Oak Cemetery during funeral for Leesburg High grad and Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall, who died in France during World War II.

Thirty-eight motorcycle officers from several counties assisted, and the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle club of 150 veterans, saluted Staff Sgt. Hall. A bag piper played, and many tears were shed.

"It was a very moving ceremony," said Frank Stivender, manager of the Leesburg History Museum and trustee at Loan Oak Cemetery. "The coordination between the city of Leesburg and Beyers Funeral Home created a fantastic event. Lone Oak Ceremony put their best foot forward. "

SSgt. Franklin P. Hall
SSgt. Franklin P. Hall

The feeling of being at a funeral for a World War II soldier, a soldier who died in battle, felt significant and lay heavy on the mourners, said Lisa Coker, who was also in attendance.

Two F15s flew from Jacksonville, manned by volunteer pilots, and conducted a flyover salute, circling Lake Weir. At the funeral, veterans played taps, provided a 21 gun salute.

More about Staff Sgt. Hall's homecoming: The remains of a WWII airman, unaccounted for since 1944, now are coming home

Brig. Gen. Tim Sullivan, a native of Leesburg and graduate of Leesburg High School, provided inspirational words Hall's service. In 2021, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Sullivan to the North Lake County Hospital District Board of Trustees. He has also served on the Lake County School Board and the Lake County Commission.

The event brought together veterans in the community. Lisa Coker and her 93-year-old father, Staff Sgt. Chet Coker, met an Iraq War veteran who received a bronze model.

Lisa said she loved seeing the different generations of veterans at the celebration for Staff Sgt. Hall.

"God puts you together with people," she said, adding that her dad still preaches at a 123-year-old church in Whitney, the Whitney Christian Ministries Worship Center.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: WWII soldier gets F15 salute & 'hero’s procession' in Leesburg