Posted by Tony Briggs on July 9, 2002:

The first time I met Frank ("Kwik") was at Camp Buckner - we were in Third Company up on the hill. Frank was such a terrific guy and great athlete. I seem to recall he was one of the top scorers in our company for the Buckner obstacle course. What a summer that was. I don't know how something can seem like yesterday and seem like 100 years ago all at the same time, but that is how it feels to me right now, as I reflect on my memories of Frank. Some great memories I have of Frank are from working with him on our 100th night show. He and I were part of a fun and wacky cast and I can't remember the last time I had as much fun as we did rehearsing and performing that show. I remember one night, the Friday night performance I think, that Frank, Ken Griggs and I were in a particular scene. We were ad-libbing a bit and by mistake a choice couple of expletives just rolled out from someone, right about the time I started saying one of my lines. It was one of those scenes where we each had some dialog spilling over a part of the other's lines. At first I thought it maybe came from Ken, but afterwards when I asked, Ken said it hadn't been him - he thought it was me. I was sure it wasn't me, so I didn't worry anymore about it - I thought maybe I had heard wrong. However, the next morning, I got early calls to my room from both Col. Hayes and Maj. Turner (my RTO and RXO, quite a record morning) telling me how much they enjoyed the show but tonight to be damn sure I watched my language up on that stage! No amount of talking could convince them I hadn't let any cursing slip out! Just before the Saturday show, I was telling Frank about my thrilling Tactical-Officer-fan-club-AM-phone-calls and asked him if he remembered me letting any choice words fly last night. Frank started cracking up laughing. When he finally stopped, he told me he was actually the culprit and was hoping nobody had noticed! We both still had a pretty good laugh over that one, and he bought me a few beers at the firstie club the next time we went down there as a consolation prize. I was just thankful that I didn't wind up on the next Held Report, thank heaven for small miracles... The last time I saw Frank was at the Army-Navy game a few years ago in Baltimore - same time Don Brewster mentioned. In fact, Frank rode with me to the game and we were following Don's party wagon (which was loaded to the gills with Tailgating Treats). The three of us sat right next to each other, shivering through the game on the upper deck, followed by a few hours of commiseration afterwards at a tailgate of many F-1'ers, plus Don, Frank and a few other friends and relatives. I remember that Frank was attending law school, and did not seem quite as carefree as I had remembered him (I figured law school would do that to anyone), but he still sported a big 'ole grin and we all had a great time wallowing in nostalgia. Frank was a great friend to all and just fun to be with. Frank, we will all miss you very, very much. See you on the other side. Be thou at peace, Tony Briggs

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