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thedrifter
01-10-09, 05:13 AM
January 10, 2009
Fallen Turpin grad buried with full honors at Arlington

He was killed while handing out food in northern Iraq

By Malia Rulon
mrulon@enquirer.com

ARLINGTON, Va. - Marine Capt. Warren A. Frank of Anderson Township was buried Friday under blue skies at Arlington National Cemetery, the nation's resting ground for fallen members of the armed forces.

His widow, Allison; mother, Rebecca; sister, Sara; and father, Warren, walked behind a caisson pulled by six horses that carried his flag-draped casket to the grave.

"Our son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world," his father said in a statement. "He was not a movie-version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children, retiring from the service of his country, teaching history at a high school and coaching track."

A military band marched alongside the family, a drummer beating a steady cadence as an American flag rippled in the chilly breeze. A line of cars snaked behind them, following the narrow road through the cemetery dotted with thousands of white marble headstones.

Frank, 26, was killed Nov. 25 in Iraq while conducting a humanitarian-assistance and food-distribution mission outside Mosul in northern Iraq. His team encountered small-arms fire; initial reports said at least one attacker wore an Iraqi soldier's uniform.

Several members of his team were wounded, and at least one other was killed in action.

Frank was a 2000 graduate of Turpin High School and 2004 graduate of The Citadel.

He was given a full-honors funeral, which began as a band played "The Marines' Hymn" and six uniformed Marines carried his casket to the grave.

Frank's two young daughters, Sophia Lynn and Isabelle Grace, clung to their mother and another family member as the ceremony started.

It took place in Section 60, where more than 450 service members killed in Iraq have already been buried. Across the Potomac River, the Washington Monument and dome of the U.S. Capitol were visible through the leafless trees.

"Mighty God, we are gathered ... ," the chaplain said in a hushed voice as planes from the nearby airport drowned out his voice.

After the prayer, seven riflemen fired three volleys, and a bugler played taps. The flag covering the casket was folded and presented to Allison Frank. Two more flags were then presented to Frank's father and mother as the band played.

The service ended as a lone bagpiper played "Amazing Grace."

Ellie