Posted by Bill Thomas on March 15, 2013:

Frank and I were in E-2 together our Cow and Firstie years. We roomed together for the last marking period. Frank was the keeper of the "round man" which was an enormous ball of string signifying the person with the enviable position as last in our class in E-2. Every laundry day, Frank would send our plebes scouring throughout central area for more string to add to the ball. It was a labor of love and I was honored to be part of this little drama. I cherish the picture of him hoisting the round man onto his shoulder in our room. When I was returning home from Vietnam in 1968, I ran into Frank in Saigon and we had dinner together at the Caravelle Hotel downtown. I was headed to the career course, Frank was headed home for his 30 day extension leave and then returning to Vietnam after that. Little did either of us know it would be the final time we would see each other. I guess when you are young you don't ponder those eventualities. In honor of Frank's ultimate sacrifice, I had a flag flown over the Capitol on the 20th anniversary of his death. I proudly fly that flag today on appropriate days and especially on the day of his death. Frank, you made a difference for all of us and for that I am eternally grateful.

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