Dedication of a Storage Shed

   In Loving Memory of Major Frank Newton Lowe

For purists, Memorial Day remembers those who died while serving in our Armed Forces.  But Americans often celebrate the military - past and present - on this sacred day, too.  This year, my family will remember Major Frank Lowe, retired, USAF.  Frank was Sara's husband, Chris' dad, and grandpa to Andrew and David.  Chris followed his father into the Air Force; Andrew and David followed Chris and I into the Air Force.  It is a family tradition.

Frank passed away in January at age 89.  He joined AFROTC at Cal-Berkeley, entering the Air Force as a 2nd lieutenant.  He served in Okinawa, Japan; Ramstein, Germany; Westover AFB, Massachusetts; Saigon, Vietnam; and Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.  

Frank had many talents - music, photography, aircraft restoration at the National Museum of the Air Force.  He never flaunted his skills.  Instead, he was unassuming as an intelligence office while being thorough in his job ... and other aspects of his life.  Frank was highly regarded by his peers in various community orchestras, mastering the oboe among numerous instruments he played.  He was precise in taking photographs, waiting for the perfect moment, rending a 1000 words captured in a single shot.  He could fix almost anything in our house!  

As we remember Frank this Memorial Day, I share two things I learned about him when I packed up their house to move Frank and Sara from Ohio to Maryland.

One, I found the Bronze Star he received from Vietnam in his sock drawer.  I did not know he had been awarded this medal!  By the time of my discovery, Frank already developed dementia, so I could not ask him about it.  Instead, I read the citation, looked through his photographs of Vietnam, and became proud that he served in his unassuming but thorough manner.  I framed the Bronze Star; it now hangs in our family room to remember him.

Two, all the neighbors commented on Frank's tool area as I cleaned out the garage.  Indeed, it was magic.  He had almost every tool needed ... and strategically placed on the wall for easy reach.  Unassuming but thorough.  

That is why my family donated the funds for the storage shed in Frank's honor.  It will help ASLC's mission in serving the community, as Frank did, in an unassuming but thorough manner.