Stephen William Frank

West Point, 1998

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Uncle Tim andAunt Carolyn Thyreen on January 13, 2006:

The words over the phone from Stephen's mom, Sue, "Stephen was killed in Iraq today" are words that we never believed we would hear. Not Stephen - a man of God, a devout husband and father, a dear son, a loving brother, and for us, the sweetest and gentlest of nephews. My husband and I were in our car when Sue called. Our first thought was that she was calling to find out how her mom was doing as she lives closeby in a nursing home. Tim took the phone call but immediately pulled off the road. I could hear Sue's voice speaking those fateful words. Such gut-wrenching news. Such pain and sorrow for a family to bear. How could this be? The last we had spoken to Stephen was on Christmas Day 2005. Stephen's mom and dad and sisters came to celebrate Christmas with us and as we sat around the dinner table that evening, Sue dialed Stephen on her cell phone and we all took turns saying goodbye, and wishing him well, and knowing in our hearts that God would watch over him until he could return. Never really thinking that he would face such a tragic end. In the desert of Iraq. Never to see him again. So young with so much left, we thought, to do, with a wife and son to raise. We started making phone calls to family. One of our grandaughters was being confirmed that weekend and we had already planned to be together in North Carolina to celebrate. I will always be thankkful that God brought all of us together at that particular moment following such a loss. Tears of grief were intermixed with joyous rememberings of Stephen. Our daughters remembered Stephen as a special cousin - one who always jumped in to help and support; Christmases where Stephen was willing to be dressed up by his cousins for a Christmas play; Stephen carrying one of his sisters down the steep back hill at our farm, rescuing her from high grass and weeds. Surrounded by sisters and female cousins, he showed such patience and amusement. Always the peacemaker. One of the most painful conversations that I had following Stephen's death was with my own 87-year-old father. He wept when I told him that Stephen had been killed and he said, "He was such a fine young man." Those words say it all. He was a fine young man, one who had been blessed with a faith and understanding that was so mature for someone his age. He understood that life was sacred and that serving God and his fellow man was the greatest calling. And he answered that call with his life. We will keep Stephen with us through stories and photos, loving remembrances of his time with us. More importantly, we will keep his spirit alive as we comfort and support each other. Comfort comes in knowing that God had prepared Stephen for his time in Iraq. And while we were not ready to say goodbye, God has promised that He will not leave us or forsake us in our grief. He will heal our broken hearts as He has promised. And, as the scriptures teach us, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. And Stephen is with his Lord. Our hearts turn more heavenward as we are confident that Stephen has been welcomed into Heaven by so many, including his Grandpa Thyreen and his cousin, Kurt. And, one day we will all be reunited. But, until that time we have God's work to do. Love to share and burdens to carry. And lives that need to know that Jesus loves them. Stephen knew that love and shared that message to the very end. We will miss Stephen's beautiful smile and gentle ways. Thank you, Stephen, for sharing that smile with all of us. We pray for Stephen's family especially - Laurel and Alex, Sue and Bill, Kirsten, Heidi and Tina. May you be surrounded by God's loving presence. And may you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers each day. We love you.

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