Frank L. Coe - Online Memorial Website

Where do I begin??  Frank and I first met in late '56 in VW-2 at PAX River, MD.
Skinny kids with no idea of what we were doing...just doing it and havin' fun.  And Uncle Sam even paid us extra for flying even though we'd probably have flown for free.   Now how good is that?   Afterwards it was a whirl wind of Port Lyautey, Naples, Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul, Florence, Pisa, Malta, Souda Bay, Iceland, Cuba, etc.  Having no idea that being unarmed we were vulnerable to having our butts shot down and never heard from again..never thought about it..just did our jobs helping to keep the "Free World Free".  Ahh the joy of being young and oblivious to reality.  The Navy provided both of us with roots, marriage and children.  And we loved it.
After VW-2 we went our separate ways and never served together again but still managed to maintain contact.
About 7-8 years ago Frank called me out of the blue.  We reminisced for about 2 hours, laughing like hell at the stupid things we did so long ago not knowing our conversations as friends would soon be coming to an end.  
Looking at the gallery of pictures it is obvious Frank was surrounded by loved ones to the very end.  

So Frank, my friend, I say to you, Fair Winds and Smooth Sailing.  You fought the good fight so now go in peace.  Your legacy is one of honor laced with love and devotion.   With lots of laughs along the way.  Your family is justifiably proud of you. 



                                        Haul Carnes ACW-2,  VW-2 11-56 til 1-59