OLDSMAR, FL, US
U.S. Army
CPL, TROOP C, 2ND SQD, 38TH CAV REG, 504TH BFLD SURV BDE, FORT HOOD, TX
07/16/2011, KASAY KALAY, AFGHANISTAN
My name is Craig Gross, father of Corporal Frank R. Gross. Frank was Killed In Action, 16 July, 2011.
A couple of things here: First of all, I would like to accept your gracious offer to receive a portrait of Frank and drawn by Michael Reagan. I have attached his picture from graduation at basic training at Fort Hood Texas; this happens to be my favorite picture of my son. I am also attaching a song that I wrote about Frank – and a video tribute that we had made of our son for family and friends.
Frank was an outstanding young man. Frank graduated from college with his Masters Degree in Business Management at age 24. He paid his own way through college – he never asked me for money; he was as dependable as the rising of the sun every day.
Frank was an outstanding baseball player and was scouted by several major league teams….but his heart was in his artwork. I have also attached a copy of his last piece of artwork that he did using photo shop. Frank was an excellent graphic artist – and he had even started his own web design company when he was a sophomore in college. As a senior he designed a line of “organic clothing”; both companies were doing well for start up enterprises. His fiancé has since taken over the direction of the clothing company, so we will see how that pans out.
Finally, I was to share something with you that my wife and I call a “God Thing”. Frank was born at 11 hundred hours, on 19 August, 1985 and I delivered him (with the help of a nice doctor and some nurses). He was buried at Arlington on 19 August, 2011…..11 hundred hours – and I delivered his remains to the gravesite; I was the first to hold him and I was the last. That is something few people I believe can ever claim.
I want to thank you and Michael Reagan for what you are doing. I consider it an honor to know you. If you are ever in the Tampa Bay area….get in touch – dinner is on me and the wife.
God Bless
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