Douglas A. Dicenzo

West Point, 1999

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by John Warnke on May 30, 2006:

Doug Dicenzo was a West Point Plebe when I first met him late in the summer of 1995. He was starting his first year at USMA, and I was starting my first year as an Instructor at the Academy. My family and I wanted to sponsor a few cadets from NH (our homestate) as well as a few more from other states. It was our joy and privilege to get Doug assigned to us. We got to know him and his family and friends very well. We shared some wonderful times together?it was clear to me he was special?a natural born leader who could quickly inspire confidence and trust. He was fun to be with, his cheerful manner and loyal defense of his hometown Plymouth athletic teams, his steady, unwaivering commitment to preparing himself for future challenges, his ability to sincerely connect with all those around him whether they be cadets, officers, my children?.even the family dog. The class of USMA ?99 has always been special to me, and Doug was one of the most special in that select group. A few years after I left that West Point teaching assignment, we returned for his May 1999 graduation. Photos of him ? in full cadet dress ? clutching his diploma surrounded by my family have been on our refrigerator and living room wall ever since. While training at Ft Benning, he traveled to our home in Huntsville, Alabama several times. And on one of those trips, we were with him when he first met his future wife Nicole. He fell for her immediately? there was no mistaking the absolute love and devotion they felt for each other. And a little over a year later, we were glad to accept an invitation to their wedding. And for those who know Doug and Nic, the wedding was exactly in keeping with what made them special. It was a unique and perfect blend of formal military and Northern outdoors. There was the arch of sabers and formal dress blue military uniforms. There was a single canoe that brought the groom and his best man to the lakeside wedding site?and that same canoe into which Doug and his bride used to exit the service via a slow romantic boat trip of just the two of them. The whole weekend was marked by fine clam chowder (chow-dah), good beer, and great people. The news of Doug?s death in Iraq has been hard to take. It has been comforted somewhat by the unbelievable strength and character shown by his wife and family. It is clear to see where Doug got his spirit and why Doug was so drawn to Nic. My family and I will miss his smile, his wonderful New Hampshire accented voice, his positive, can- do attitude, and his loyal friendship. And we will never forget him. The Warnkes John ?80, Lynne, Scott ?06, and Brett

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