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Franklin Peeler, a brother never forgotten
This memorial headstone at Kadesh United Methodist Church cemetery has stood as a salute to Franklin H. Peeler since the early 1950’s.
Randolph and Elva Peeler owned a farm in Belwood and was where they raised five sons.
The boys were all patriotic and served in the military. The were: Clarence S., Navy 1938 to 1952; Robert E., Navy 1943 to 1946; Franklin H, Army, 1940 to 1945; Walter H., Army 1945-1948, and Charles L., Army 1956  to 1958.
The Peelers were very proud, caring people. Their third son, Franklin was in a pillbox (bunker) in France and was killed on Januray 18, 1945, giving the supreme sacrifice for the country he loved. In Franklin’s honor, his father, Randolph, had a memorial headstone erected in the graveyard at their church, Kadesh United Methodist Church in Belwood. The family has always honored and saluted their fallen hero. He was only 22 years old when he passed. Until the day she died, his mother Elva held out hope and was convinced that Franklin would one day walk through the door and come home.
Their youngest son, Charles, who now lives in Shelby with his wife of 60 years, Joan, has kept the flame of remembrance burning. Charles took action to get his brother, Franklin,  what he thought he was justly do, by requesting the U.S. Army’s Past Conflict Repatriations Branch for a listing of awards that Franklin was entitled. Finally, on June 18, 2014, Charles received a letter. His persistent efforts paid off. His brother and hero, Franklin, received the Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Medal with two Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge. Charles had done it. He got the recognition that he felt his older brother, “Frank”, deserved. It was 69 years after his family received the bad news. Franklin’s remains have never been found.
Charles said his brother “Frank” always looked after him. When the older boys would pick on Charles, the 6’ 3” Franklin would tell his brothers to leave Charles alone. So, in honor of the brother who “took up for me”, Charles Peeler “took up for his beloved Frank”. On Friday, November 7th, Congressman Patrick McHenry and Sergeant First Class Bildad M. Jean from Fort Bragg, came to Shelby and presented Charles, now 81 years old,  with all his brother’s medals. Finally, the Peeler family got the credit and medals that were so richly deserved by their  family hero.

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