Frank's friends

There were a dozen familiar faces that I could not have been happier to see on Saturday. They were members of the 20th Maine, all attending the dedication of Cherryfield's new Veterans Park by the river.

I knew that May 19 was the date, but I also knew I was planning to be elsewhere that morning. Actually, I managed to be elsewhere-and-done in time to get to Cherryfield for the dedication event, complete with cannon fire.

I loved the 90 minutes I spent with all of the 20th Maine members. He was even recalled by Kathy Upton, a 20th Maine civilian member and organizer of the park dedication, in her opening remarks. I arrived too late to hear that, but others told me as soon as they saw me.

"Frank would have been here," I told Paul Dudley, the group's president who had raised his sword to me when he saw me turn up. "I know," Paul responded.

Frank rarely missed a 20th Maine occasion in his 20 years with the group. Being among the other members was something he could always count on. Sometimes I went with him, over the 10 years we had together. But more often, he went alone to his weekends away.

This time, yesterday, it just felt as if Frank was back among his friends.