Flag Presentation Stamps Homecoming Celebration
Franklin Ruliffson, who attended BVU and served his country for more than four decades, had a U.S. flag presented in his memory prior to the football game.
Buena Vista University’s traditional Cornerstone Guard ceremony and pregame contained a couple of special additions on Homecoming.
The family of former BVU student Franklin Ruliffson was on hand as the U.S. Navy Reserve Center from Des Moines presented a U.S. flag in his memory. Ruliffson, a Storm Lake native who attended BVU in the 1940s, graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics before embarking on a military career that spanned four decades as he eventually became the USMC Dental Officer and worked as a Dental Officer in Vietnam, Japan, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
U.S. Navy Capt. Dr. Franklin Ruliffson died in 2019 at the age of 93.
“The U.S. Navy told Dr. Ruliffson’s family they could have his memorial flag presentation anywhere in the country,” said BVU President Brian Lenzmeier. “We were honored and humbled the family chose to have this solemn ceremony held on campus, a poignant reminder of the bond we share within the BVU family.”
“Our father would be beaming with pride today. He truly loved Buena Vista and serving his country. This event was a wonderful way to bring these important elements of his life together on a beautiful Homecoming day we will never forget.”
Judy Ruliffson
Lenzmeier addressed the family as part of the Cornerstone Guard breakfast celebration, a time in which members of the Class of 1972 received pins to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their graduation. He presented memory books to the Ruliffson family which were made from his many correspondences with BVU Presidents, Professors, and staff members through the years.
Franklin Ruliffson was presented BV’s Outstanding Alumni Award in 1978. Three years earlier, he joined his three brothers in establishing a scholarship in memory of their parents, longtime Storm Lake community boosters Bob and Amy Ruliffson. Their scholarship continues to this day, some 43 years later.
“Please know that because of your father and his brothers—and the example provided by their parents—many BVU students have been able to achieve their goals, and have reached their dreams, and have gone on to serve others,” Lenzmeier said.
Following the breakfast presentation, members of the family joined President Lenzmeier and one of Franklin Ruliffson’s classmates at the University of Iowa, Dr. Charles Tucker (who went on to practice in Storm Lake), in congregating on the track within J. Leslie Rollins Stadium. Sailors with the U.S. Navy Command Center in Des Moines played taps before presenting the U.S. flag to Ruliffson’s children, Judy Ruliffson, Robert Ruliffson, and Karen (Ruliffson) Moreno.
“It was a heartfelt ceremony and one in which everyone seemed to stop and take notice,” Lenzmeier said. “It was an honor for BVU to help remember Franklin Ruliffson’s selfless service to our country.”
“Our father would be beaming with pride today,” said Judy Ruliffson. “He truly loved Buena Vista and serving his country. This event was a wonderful way to bring these important elements of his life together on a beautiful Homecoming day we will never forget.”