Today our neighbor and friend, Frank Stover was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The bitter cold and cutting wind somehow seemed fitting for such a sad occasion. This was my first time witnessing a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. As I expected it was very honorable, and befitting for an honorable man like Frank Stover.
Frank and Rebbie have been our neighbors for the past ten years, when we first moved onto Shadeland Drive. Right from the beginning, they welcomed us with the warmth and friendliness we all hope for when we buy not just a first house, but a home. Over the next few years, we grew the kind of strong neighborhood bonds all of us hope for, but few seem to achieve in a culture that is always on the go struggling to keep up. There was always a friendly wave and hello in the morning as I left for work. In the spring and summer, there always seemed to be someone outside, often it was Frank. There were nice chats about who was doing what, or whatever seemed to be going on "on the hill". Most of the neighbors are in politics or the military, so most conversations go that way. In the evenings, Frank and Rebbie could often be found sitting outside inviting someone over for a drink and a chat. Many times they would call us to come over for a "scotch". The Stovers bridged the gap between the culture we are confronted with, and the culture we all hope for in the suburbs. They helped those of us in the starter family phase realize we could have the kind of caring and friendly neighborhood we thought had gone the way of civilized politics.
We grew that kind of neighborhood. There were baby sitting co-ops, and Friday evening Happy Hours in the summer. Dad's had poker nights, and Mom's had movie nights. Because of people like Frank Stover, this neighborhood has been a wonderful place to grow a family. A couple of years ago when I made the plunge to start my own IT support business, Frank Stover was my very first customer. No surprise that although I intended to help him out as a favor, he would not let me leave without paying me. That's the kind of person he was.
Over the past months, as Frank's health began to fail, it became our turn to return the favor to Frank and Rebbie. When the ambulance showed up in the middle of the night, we were all outside in our PJ's offering our help; driving Rebbie to the hospital, cleaning the house, or calling her daughter Chris to let her know what happened. Whatever we could do, we offered our help willingly. When I finally got the news Frank had passed, I was certainly sad, but I felt like now Frank would get the rest and comfort he had been missing as he fought to regain the zest for life his body could no longer provide his still vibrant spirit.
I was not surprised to learn during the funeral all the great things Frank did in his life. After WW II, Frank was instrumental in supporting Veterans and worked on Capitol Hill to get several pieces of legislation passed in support of Veterans benefits.
In the past few years that I knew Frank as a neighbor, he certainly was the epitome of what Tom Brokaw once called "the greatest generation". He was a fine man, a good friend, a wonderful neighbor, and servant to his country. I speak for all of us on Shadeland Drive when I say that Frank Stover will be greatly missed and fondly remembered always.
