Posted by Don Brewster on July 5, 2002:

I remember the first time I became aware of Frank. It was during Beast Barracks, and although I was getting pretty scorched by the upper class at the time, my attention was continually diverted to another "hot spot", Mick Williams. Mick was a great guy but the most utterly wrong individual for West Point that could possibly be imagined. Clumsy, slow to comprehend, almost in combat fatigue/shock his entire time, he was a constant, nuclear inferno with upperclassmen by the score focusing on his inadequacies. In the rooms, in the halls, out in formation, he was THE center of attention. I became aware of Frank because he was constantly devoting all of his energies into keeping Mick on the straight and narrow. Frank helped him with his shoes, his rooms, his punishments --even helped him go to the bathroom! Frank received more than his fair share of collateral damage, but it seemed to have no effect on him as he continued to do his best to help Mick. Mick was beyond help, and didn't make it past that first plebe year. But my first impression held true. Frank coasted through and continued to selflessly help those around him. Smart, sharp, a gifted athlete and student, good-looking -- Frank had it all. West Point was a piece of cake to him. We roomed together in our Yearling year, and Frank undoubtedly cruised while I labored. He used to love to laugh at me studying while he spent much of study hall in the rack. We spent 4 years together in company A-4 (Go Apaches!) and Frank was always coasting--light hearted, laughing, and full of life. I last saw Frank at Army Navy in the last year or two, where we spent the weekend together. He was in law school, and he was turning the place on its head with top marks and his normal excellence. He was not quite as happy-go-lucky as when he was younger, but that's what getting older does for you. He had big dreams, and great ambitions, and I always had the feeling that he had not yet reached the great challenges that awaited him. Frankie, we're gonna miss you. You've done yourself proud, and your family as well. God must certainly have a great need, and I can't imagine too many more talented or gifted folks He could have called upon. God Bless you and your family! Grip Hands...

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