ST. PAUL, Minn. — Hundreds of mourners have gathered for a service honoring former Army Gen. John Vessey, a Minnesota native who became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Ronald Reagan.
A memorial for Vessey, who was 94 when he died Aug. 18, was held Wednesday at the Fort Snelling Chapel. The Star Tribune reports Vessey left explicit orders that there would be no eulogy.
Instead, retired Navy chaplain Rear Adm. Donald Muchow told mourners Vessey "was always ready to say that the Lord had total power and authority over everybody and everything."
Former Army Gen. John Vessey's casket is carried from Fort Snelling Chapel on Aug. 3, 2016, in St. Paul, Minn. Hundreds of mourners have gathered for a service honoring Vessey, a Minnesota native who became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Ronald Reagan. Vessey, who was 94 when he died Aug. 18, will be buried Thursday at the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery.
Photo Credit: Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP
Attendees included U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese.
Vessey served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs for three years, overseeing Reagan's military buildup.
He will be buried Thursday at the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery.
Then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen speaks with retired Army Gen. John W. Vessey, the 10th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the Pre-Alfalfa Club Luncheon on Jan. 30, 2010, at the Willard Hotel in Washington.
Photo Credit: MC1 Chad J. McNeeley/Navy
