LCpl. Joseph Welke, U.S.M.C. (KIA)

Hundreds mourn fallen Marine
By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer

RAPID CITY -- A Rapid City family said goodbye Saturday to its youngest son and brother as friends, teammates and coaches recalled the young Marine's courage, enthusiasm and dedication.

Hundreds gathered with the family of Lance Cpl. Joseph T. Welke, 20, of Rapid City to honor a young man known for his commitment, compassion and loyalty.

Speaking from a podium in the Stevens High School gymnasium, the Rev. Chris Crago began the service by offering a prayer and saying that the day would celebrate Welke's life.

"Joseph Tyler Welke, 20, of Rapid City died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, after fighting insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq. Joe died while trying to save the life of his comrade, Lance Cpl. Philip West," Crago said.

Joe's brother, Nick Welke, said he was sorry that he and the family weren't with Joe when he died but that the 2003 Stevens High School graduate inspired everyone to live a better life.

"It gives us comfort to know that you died a hero," Nick Welke said. "That is how you will always be remembered."

Joe Welke, a member of I Marine Expeditionary Force, died at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, a day after being wounded in Al Anbar Province in Fallujah. Welke was the ninth service member from South Dakota to die while serving in Iraq.

Marine Maj. Stephen Beck, site commander for South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming, presented the Purple Heart and a U.S. flag to the Welke family.

Lance Cpl. Austin Mitchell-Briggs had accompanied Welke's remains to South Dakota and read a poem at the service. The Marine had met Welke at basic training at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Longtime Rapid City friend Cory Gollnick said Welke was a man with a heart of gold.

"Joe and I not only grew up together, we spent the best years of our lives together. He was my friend - my best friend," Gollnick said.

He talked of fourth-grade birthday parties, a senior trip to Mexico and glory days on the football field as Stevens Raiders. He said he never thought in a million years that he would ever have to say goodbye like this. Gollnick paused several times to compose himself before speaking.

"We were supposed to grow old together," he said.

Joel Hybertson, Raiders head football coach, brought all of the coaches who had worked with Welke to the funeral. He described the team's last season, which had started with a series of player injuries and little chance of reaching the playoffs.

Welke contributed to turning around the season for the Raiders, he said.

"He set aside his own self-interest, and he hated to lose," Hybertson said. The audience laughed when he said: "He could be a little mischievous. We found that out when we were looking for his white jersey and found out you (the family) already had it."

Joe Welke's jersey, No. 36, will be retired and placed near the flag on the west end of the gym, he said.

"No other player will ever wear 36 for Stevens," Hybertson said.

"Goodbye, Joe," the coach said. "You will be missed."

Maj. Gen. Michael Gorman, adjutant general of the South Dakota National Guard, read a letter from Gov. Mike Rounds.

"Joseph volunteered for the Marine Corps knowing full well that his decision would place him in harm's way," Gorman read. "I am most respectful of young men like Joseph, who choose to serve their country without regard for their own personal safety. ... It takes a special young man to set aside his fears and venture down the road that leads to meeting an enemy far from home. I believe South Dakota is a lesser place without Joseph."

Gorman said Rounds had directed that Welke's name be carved on a granite memorial marker on the Capitol grounds in Pierre, joining the names of other South Dakotans whose lives were lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gorman honored the family with a South Dakota flag for the service of the young Marine.

Maj. Beck read a letter from Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D. Johnson had asked that a U.S. flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol be presented to the Welke family.

Rapid City Mayor Jim Shaw paid tribute to the young Marine.

"It is both with sadness and pride that we come together this afternoon," Shaw said.

"Joseph lived a very short time on this earth. He was here for a specific reason and a specific purpose."

Twenty-four members of the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard attended the 90-minute service and provided military honors at Welke's burial at Mountain View Cemetery.