Frank Bennett
Terry, so many memories from Vietnam at the 8th - oh so very much laughter, fun, hi-jinks, and incredible friendships, from such a diverse group of people, and in the middle of a war. The 1st year I was the Chaplain's Assistant, which meant many trips to the PX in the Chapel jeep (bumper name, "The Holy Ghost"), for beer, bourbon, snacks, presents, magazines, etc.. That jeep got a workout with you, Jeff, John, Steve, and whoever else we crammed in. I came back to Arlington Hall Station, in Arlington, VA, and we stayed in touch for years, then lost contact - you thought I'd moved back to Louisiana, but I'd stayed in Arlington, retiring from the Pentagon in 2008. I remember the day I found your number and called it, it was the day in 2003 the war started in Iraq and I was in my office, the minute you answered I knew it was you! I said "hello, we're re-drafting all the prior ASA personnel, and you said "this is Frank!".
Then I asked you if you lived on 7th Street in Forest Glen in Arlington, you asked how did I know, and I told you we lived 7 houses down from each other, on the very same street! I had seen your name years before in the FG directory, but said to myself "no way"! You mentioned admiring a blue Olds 442 convertible several times in a driveway down the street, and it was My car! Over coffee, I learned you worked part-time in the bookstore I spent many hours in.
Anyway, we did reconnect, and it was just as if we had left Vietnam the month before, but I do regret the missed opportunities of reconnecting with a wonderfully incredible friend.
We called you "froggie" in Vietnam, guess it was the glasses - but all I remember is the laughter, fun, kindness, generosity, conversations, mischief, and the one trait that you shared with my mom and sister - you always looked at people with your heart, not your eyes.
Whenever John and I talk about the 8th, your name is always in the conversation, and whenever I think about the 8th, you're always inhabiting those thoughts.
You are a rarity in life - as ever, Frank
