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Frank Freeman Marvin
West Point, 1945
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Meeraa, Michael & Jay Murali on January 6, 2003:
A Tribute to Frank Marvin Back in the Fall of 1976, when the International Student office at Virginia Tech. called a dazed, culture-shocked & jet-lagged new arrival from India to inform that he had been assigned to a host family, little did he suspect that the relationship was destined to be an ?ever-last?. When that young man stepped gingerly into the Marvin household for an introductory dinner, it took but a few minutes before Shirleigh and Frank made him completely at ease with his new home away from home. Beginning with how to set forks and spoons on the table to carving the bird during Thanksgiving to adorning a Christmas tree, no custom or tradition was missed. Soon, Gary, Jane, little Kimberly, Gordon and Freeman were familiar names and faces as were the McDaniels. The Marvins transitioned yet another bewildered immigrant student to a nearly ?Naturalized American? long before the Immigration & Naturalization Service would formally bestow that honor upon him. They had done it countless times before. The young man too responded eagerly, introducing his family via letters, photos and phone calls and bringing a bride back from the home country a few years later (the Marvins would treat her as their own daughter.) The young man and his wife quite easily transitioned from Naturalized Americans to part of the Marvin Family - extended or otherwise.
Through it all, Frank was the quiet father figure, kindly asking about their welfare, their aspirations and even gently chiding them when they would say or do something out of kilter. He would rejoice at their slightest accomplishment and would celebrate their only son as his own grandchild. His very careful advice would sink in without a trace of intrusiveness; the thankful couple would see the deep wisdom for years to come. He would modestly show off his handiwork all around the house that he personally built. The laundry chute, the little babbling brook in the back, the world map mural in the basement all set in place with the keenest attention to detail. The couple would marvel at the various testimonials, awards and medals of Frank?s service to his country of which he was genuinely proud. On the lighter side, the couple would recall for many years Frank?s house special ? the salad that he made so nonchalantly, which no chef can serve up. Frank?s caring for everyone was unconditional, founded in spirituality that evidently nourished his life. The warmth and love that flowed between Frank and Shirleigh was truly glowing, amply evident and contagious. The couple would seek Frank?s advice on everything from career to finances to raising a child and come away with gems of pragmatism.
That couple was us (Jay & Meeraa Murali) and Frank was our veritable ?American Father?. We are stunned and shattered. How can mere words express our shock and grief over Frank?s loss? How can sentences paint a cogent picture of the devastation that we feel in our hearts. We pray to The Almighty to be with Shirleigh as she recuperates and begins putting her life back together. Our thoughts are with Gary, Gordon, Freeman and their families during these trying times. It is through remembering Frank?s life, which he conducted with purpose, with giving, with love and caring for all who he touched that his passing shall find true meaning. In the words of the old Indian hymn, ?Om Shanthi, Om Shanthi, Om Shanthi? ? let there be Peace, Peace, Peace!
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