Bear Creek Ledger » 1LT Frank B. Walkup IV

July 4, 2007

1LT Frank B. Walkup IV

Filed under: Someone You Should Know, Honoring Our Military, SPF, Military Related Photos, Support The Troops, Tennessee Related Topics, Patriot Guard Riders — Toni @ 5:45 pm

This post is in honor of 1LT Frank B. Walkup IV of Woodbury, Tn.

2nd Bn., 35th Infantry Regt.
3rd Bde Combat Team

I can’t think of a more fitting way to spend the July 4th holiday than honoring the duty and sacrifice of one of our heroes who fought and died in service to our country. Today, Patriot Guard rode in honor and respect for 1LT Frank B. Walkup IV and his family.

Woodbury, TN opened it arms today for the Walkups. The open display of honor and affection for this military hero was shown thoughout the town. This was the face of small town Patriotism and it was a beautiful face. Woodbury turned out in mass today and lined the street from the church all the way to the cemetery. Patriot Guard was shown southern hospitality. Support from local, county and state law enforcement was awesome. Turnout from the military community made this funeral very memorable.

From what I’ve read about Frank and his family they have a military tradition that goes back to the Civil War. He sounded like a dedicated and amazing young man.

You can read about his life here.

Here’s a video interview with one of Frank’s cousins.

Here’s a CS Monitor reporter who got to know Frank in Iraq with some thoughts on his death.

A few photos from today:

This is the beginning of staging for the ride to the church. You’re seeing about a fourth of the bikes there today.

The UGs (unwelcome guests) showed their depraved faces today in Woodbury,Tn. I was part of the PGR who blocked them from being seen by the family.

Here’s my little trooper, she’s the TN PGR mascot. She’s easily been to 60 PGR missions and well known to PGR in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky. You can add in a few from Mississippi too.

I told the “boys” to smile but as usual they didn’t listen!

A view as the second wave of PGR bikes drove into the cemetery.

We grieve and honor this American Hero and his family for their sacrifice to our country on it’s Day of Independence.

Update 07/19/2007: I’ve now added the raw video footage of the escort mission from the church to the cemetery taken by one of the Patriot Guard riders with a helmet cam.

Final Ride of 1LT Frank B. Walkup IV

Technorati Tags: 1LT Frank B. Walkup IV, Patriot Guard Riders, PGR, US Military, Support the Troops

15 Comments »

Toni - Thanks for all you do for our brave military men and women.

Comment by Ginny — July 5, 2007 @ 4:11 pm

You have no idea how much I admire all of you who do this. I cry just looking at the pictures you took….

Comment by SK — July 6, 2007 @ 1:58 pm

I knew LT Walkup, met him here in Iraq. His platoon spent a month at my FOB when we first got here. He and his platoon sergeant made a great team. Both hard workers, both heavy thinkers, both focused on the mission and the both worked well together. I know the LT is missed by his men.

What a terrible loss.

Till we meet again, LT.

Comment by JACK ARMY — July 9, 2007 @ 8:17 am

We was there also, from AL PGR, as part of the flag line at the church and when the hearse arrived at the cemetery. I was in tears by the time we arrived at the cemetery, moved by the turn out of the town and that they lined the entire route from the church. My heart goes out to his family.

Comment by Ghost Bear — July 9, 2007 @ 12:48 pm

I FIRST MET FRANK WHEN HE WAS A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL I WAS A SOPHMORE . HE WAS THE ONE PERSON THAT ALWAYS LEAD FROM THE FRONT OF THE LINE . HE JOINED THE ARMY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL AND I JOINED THE MARINE CORPS AND WE WENT OUR SEPERATE WAYS FOR OUR BRANCHES OF MILITARY. BUT WHEN I HEARD OF WHAT HAPPENED,ALL I COULD FEEL WAS REMORSE . I COULDN’T BE THERE FOR THE FUNERAL BUT MY WIFE ATTENDED. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY .

FRANK I KNOW YOUR WATCHING US “THANK YOU” WE WILL MEET AGAIN MY FRIEND

Comment by CPL HAYNES JAMES M. — July 11, 2007 @ 10:30 am