Honoring Joseph K. Maule

BLOOMFIELD,  NE (News Channel Nebraska) - It was the sound of gunfire…

That signaled a beloved soldier’s return to home.

Many people came out to honor the life of Joseph K. Maule, a U.S. Navy sailor who at the age of 17, died while on board the USS Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor.

Maule’s family was appreciative for the community’s outpouring of love.

“ I can’t thank the community enough…this is what it’s about right here,” says Joseph K. Maule’s grandnephew, Joshua Maule. ”We see the rough side of people on social media these days, but when you get people…human to human, face to face, when there’s something that brings us together, that’s what humanity is really about and that’s what we have to remember each and every day.”

It took nearly 78 years until his remains were properly identified, but today, his family finally receiving the closure they needed.

“For the Maule family, it’s just a sends of closure,” says Joseph Maule’s niece-in-law, Cindy Maule. “We can feel like we accomplished something, although we didn’t have a lot to do with it… the navy made this happen and therefore, is something we can feel good about.”

A ceremony worthy of a hero, friends, family, and community attended the funeral to celebrate Maule’s return. Close to 75 American Legion Riders escorted the hearse from Norfolk to Bloomfield.

In Bloomfield, people lined the streets, waiting for the opportunity to honor a town hero.

Finally, putting Joseph K. male’s remains to rest.

“To bring our uncle home, finally to his parents and his hometown of Bloomfield, it’s unbelievable…I never ever thought this would happen,” says Joseph K. Maule’s grandniece, Norma Maule.