Franklin Cemetery.	Crowd beginning to gather before the ceremony.   Over 100 attended.
Lisa Franklin with some of the 3rd great-grandchildren of Mark Franklin.	Foot stone of Mark Franklin.
Honor detail, Co A, 7th Reg't US Infantry, Living History Association:  (L-R) Cpl Thomas, Pvts Daniel, Everett & Skinner).  Their hand-sewn wool uniforms are the same as that worn by Mark during the War of 1812 and the 1st Seminole War (between 1817 and 1818).
1812 Stars and Stripes.	U.S. National (national banner before the Mexican War), obverse side of the Great Seal of US, over a scroll of the regiment's number.
Regimental flag 7th Infantry.  Regimental color with a simple regiment's scroll proclaiming 7th Regiment of United States Infantry.	Marker dedication by 4th great-granddaughter of Mark Franklin, pictured with Ted Urquhart, Master of Ceremonies & President, Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance.
Corporal Thomas, Company A, 7th Regiment of US Infantry, Living History Association, at grave of Mark Franklin.  His hand-sewn wool uniform is the same one Mark would have worn during his service, except that Mark was a Private.	Corporal Thomas delivering the Cottonbaler Creed.  I imagined Mark standing there with a grin on his face each time he heard "Cottonbalers, by God!  Damned fine soldiers!"
Company A, 7th Regiment of United States Infantry, Living History Association, (left) preparing to offer the firing salute and (right) firing the first volley of a 12 gun salute to Mark Franklin.
Benediction at Mark Franklin Ceremony by Reverend Mark Lewis, S.J., Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL.	Chinook helicopter flyover, B 1/169th AVN, Alabama National Guard.
Bruce Franklin, 3rd great-grandson of Mark. The 4th great-granddaughter of Mark Franklin who dedicated his new marker.  She is the 3rd great-granddaughter of David Twiggs Franklin. Corporal Thomas and Lisa Franklin at the grave of Mark Franklin.

Mark's original marker was broken and on the ground for many years. It was not possible to have it repaired, as a large v-shaped piece was broken out of the right side.  My first visit to Mark's grave was with my research partner, Belinda Jacks, on 16 November 2005.  We had gotten permission to visit the cemetery prior to our trip.  This was her second visit in 20 years.  We visited Providence Cemetery and, driving back past the house, noticed that the owner of the property was home.  We stopped and ended up talking to him for 45 minutes (could have stayed there all day). Once I got home, replacing the marker was constantly in my thoughts.  I finally found the nerve to ask about it in the fall of 2007.  I was scared to death to do so because I was afraid of the answer I'd get.  I shouldn't have worried.  The owner kindly gave me his permission to replace the old marker and together we requested a white upright marble one from the Veterans' Administration.  It took approximately 60 days from the time we placed the request to get approval and have the marker delivered. The owner graciously set it in place for the family and told me afterwards that, while he wasn't a relative, it was a very emotional experience for him. About that same time, I found out that we could have a ceremony for Mark and, when asked, he willingly agreed to that also.  He is a good and decent man and I am so very grateful that Mark and the two grandbabies have such a special guardian.  I couldn't have picked a better one. Mark's ceremony was a joint marker dedication/cemetery recognition ceremony held in conjunction with the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance.  Last fall I submitted documentation on the cemetery to the Alabama Historical Commission in an effort to ensure that record of the three burials was on file with the state.  The documentation received favorable review and the cemetery was placed on Alabama Historic Cemetery Register on 8 Jan 2007, making it only the 3rd cemetery in Butler County to be honored with this designation (at that time the 95th in the state).  I didn't realize what a big deal it was until afterwards.  What is nice is that having the cemetery placed on the register places no requirements on the landowner. We had multiple speakers at Mark's ceremony.  Ted Urquhart, President of the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance, spoke on the importance of cemetery preservation.  Ted was our Master of Ceremonies and also (acting for Lee Anne Wofford of the Alabama Historical Commission) presented me with the Alabama Historic Cemetery Certificate signed by the governor.  Judy Taylor (Librarian of the Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society) presented the biography of Mark Franklin.  Corporal Steve Thomas, Co A, 7th Rgt of US Inf Living History Association, delivered the Cottonbaler Creed - it gave me goosebumps.  Dr Linda Shabo, Historian, The Creek War & the Battle of New Orleans (member of both DAR and ASD of 1812), spoke on the men of the 7th Infantry and, together with a 4th Great-granddaughter of Mark's, dedicated the new marker.  The tribute was provided by James Lee Wardlaw, Senior Vice President, Alabama Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Mark was a "5 year man" who served in the 39th US Infantry and the 7th US Infantry (primarily with the 7th) during the War of 1812 and the 1st Seminole War.  Four members of Co A, 7th Regiment of United States Infantry, Living History Association, were present as honor detail and fired three musket volleys (a 12 gun salute) followed by the playing of Taps. The invocation and benediction were given by Reverend Mark Lewis, S.J., Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL (wearing period appropriate clothing). Last, but certainly not least, Mark was honored with a Chinook helicopter flyover by B 1/169th AVN Alabama National Guard. As a member of the Thomas Paine Chapter DAR, my interest in our ancestors and honoring their service made the decision to hold a ceremony for Mark an easy one.  Planning a ceremony from two states away was a real experience and one I'll never forget!!  I had the help of four absolutely wonderful people in Alabama and Florida and I couldn't have done it without them.  We spent almost 6 months in the planning and hope that everyone was pleased with the result.  I like to think that Grandpa Mark was.

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Page updated 20 May 2007.