Jacob Noal Fritz

West Point, 2005

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Steve Harnsberger on February 18, 2007:

I didn't want to write this thing, that's why it's been put off so long. I still don't want to write a eulogy to Jake. It seems once it's been written then it's true that he really is gone. I met Jake in the basement of Lee Barracks when we were standing against a wall waiting to scare some incoming plebes. We introduced ourselves, looked at the rest of A-1 and quickly agreed that it was going to be a good 3 years, and it was. Ocean City, Seaside Heights, G's house, Sean's house, Bear Mtn, Gold Mtn, NYC and finally his own house. They were all good times that a large group of us shared. More importantly though are the "normal" days we experienced at school that I remember were just terrible. I know I turned to Jake to cheer me up and I watched others do the same almost everyday. Dave Cho wrote that one of Jake's nicknames was "Jolly Jake" and it was no lie, he was a constantly happy guy that was always up for some fun. I knew it was a bad day overall if his mood was down. Everyone talks about how big Jake's heart was, the stories are true. I watched him coach his football team in intramurals, he loved those guys, and I know he felt the same way about his soldiers. There are few places I've found in my life where I've felt immediately at home, but Jake's house was one of those places. He and his family without hesitation or reservation accepted Jake's friends, including me as a member of the family. Jake loved his family, God, his farm and his country, his friends and his soldiers. Out of the folks I've met, I've known very few better and many a whole lot worse. Tears were shed the day we lost you buddy. Take care and watch over those of us still down here, I'll miss you man, but I won't forget. I'll see you one of these days.

admin