Jacob Noal Fritz

West Point, 2005

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by 1LT Nate Crook on January 25, 2007:

Jake, I'll never forget our yearling year together in company H3. From the first day we arrived in Pershing Barracks, your generosity and decency stood out among all our new company mates. That first semester, you, James Gibson, and I shared too many pizzas, cokes, and DVDs to remember. It was definitely better than doing physics homework! We also began to develop our Big 12 football rivalry...my Longhorns were always one loss away in those years, but your Nebraska Cornhuskers cruised to the national championship game. They certainly fed off the support of their biggest fan in the state of New York, complete with that big red Nebraska blanket on your bed! We also had some memorable trips that year that helped to create stories that still make me smile and laugh today. I'll never forget the weekend of the blizzard in NYC and the legend of the "Lucky" t-shirt. Later that spring, you came home with me during spring break so I could show you what Texas was all about. My family still talks about the night at Boston's, when a certain chocolate explosion dessert was no match for your appetite! Our weekend in Ithaca, NY brings back smiles too. We all had too much to drink, lots of laughs, and the chance to hang out with one of the best guys in the world. And nothing beat getting the chance to room with you that semester. I remember all kinds of great conversations, whether it was about our futures, new music, sports, or just how much we hated West Point at that moment. The world needs more heroes like you and that's why it's so hard to believe that you have been taken from us. I know you are in a better place now. Thank you for what you were willing to stand up and do for the American people and the Iraqi people. God bless you and your family. May it be said, "Well done". Be thou at peace. -Nate

admin