THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Major Frank Maki, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Commander - General Staff. your 49th anniversary is this month, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly, but it is an unusual time. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

A few old guys from Eastern Michigan University met for lunch today. We were all there in the early '60s. Frank came to memory as we discussed old times. Several of us in ROTC suggested that we ask him to be our fraternity's faculty sponsor. We asked and he was surprised and grateful. I believe that no campus group had ever asked any of the Army staff to represent them. A fraternity jacket was an important thing at EMU, so we bought him one. He wore it around campus whenever he was in civvies.
I received a commission on graduation, received my first salute from him, and paid him a silver dollar for it. I spent a year with the 2d Infantry at Ft Benning, a year in Thailand, and two with the Michigan National Guard. I was his student.

Dear Major Frank Rudolph Maki, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Dear Grandpa, I never met you, though I wish I could, and through the stories my mother tells, you are as real to me as ever. Thank you for giving my mother peace. You are a great grandpa, and with you close to my heart, I wanted to name her after you. This is Eva Pearl Francesca. I hope that you will be with her to help her learn right from wrong, to set an example for others, as you did. Thank you for your honor and character. There is not enough of it in the world today. I miss you, Rachel

Frank R Maki in Mackinaw Island, Michigan.