Stephen William Frank

West Point, 1998

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Denise Jacobs on March 11, 2006:

I have just learned of Stephen?s death, almost a year later, and I am shocked and grieved; I remember so clearly how beloved Stephen was to his parents because my son Doug and Stephen were playmates well over 20 years ago. Doug, too, is shocked and saddened to learn of Stephen?s death and surprised, too, at how their lives paralleled each other?s. Like Stephen, Doug wanted to be a soldier. Doug gave voice to his desire by serving two terms of duty in the U.S. Infantry, mostly in Italy. I can still see Stephen and Doug, young and skinny little boys, flat on their stomachs, lining up plastic soldiers for warfare. But they were gentle boys, really, and tender. And as I read about Stephen, it seems as if he kept those tender qualities even as, or especially as, a soldier. I am touched when I read about Stephen?s concern for ?his men,? and even though I haven?t seen Bill and Sue for years, I know they can be justifiably proud of the man their son became. This makes me glad for them even in their profound loss. I can still see Stephen with sunburned skin after a day at Lake Michigan. I caught heck for that sunburn. I remember Stephen knee-deep in Lincoln Logs. I remember waiting for Stephen to finish a meal. And waiting. And waiting. It pleases me to read about the young man Stephen Frank turned out to be. I like to think of Stephen fishing, riding a motorcycle, mountain climbing, living in Alaska, and falling in love. I?m glad to know he lives on in his son. And I am deeply sorry that he died so very young.

admin