Franklin Dennis Winters, Sergeant, United States Army

Franklin Dennis Winters
Sergeant, United States Army

August 25, 1965--September 25, 1987

Frank was born and raised in West Palm Beach Florida. He has a sister, Melanie Winters Casey.

Frank was a proud member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 75thRanger Regiment of Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah Georgia.

Frank was killed in a helicopter training accident at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Ranger Tab - United States Army

This information was submitted to me by a loving and proud Mother, Susan Winters, who also told me:

"I always enjoy seeing Arlington...I feel at home there. I do have my own small piece of that beautiful spot...there on the hill. I like to call it my place of "Pain and Pride".

"Frank always loved anything to do with the military from the time he was a little boy. He always knew he would be in the Army. He was very proud to have become an Army Ranger.

"Prior to his death he told me to be sure and see the movie"Gardens of Stone". After 10 years, I still like to watch it.

"I knew that Arlington was the place for Frank...there with all his heroes. Even though I live in Florida, I knew that was the correct place for him.

"I always spend Memorial Day Week-end in the Washington, DC, area. This is my time for remembering. Thanks to those who have made a very special place on my computer...where I can visit anytime."

Frank now lies at rest in Section 66, Grave 3528, Arlington National Cemetery.

For some of Susan's thoughts about her son and about
Arlington National Cemetery, click here.

I saw 4 men die today.
Just like me they were,
until a roar and a cloud of smoke
overcame them and ended their existance
and altered their families
and friends lives forever.

Yet they fought by choice.
They sacrificed all they had
for a place they loved even more so
after they began fighting for it.

I'm no super patriot,
but let America not forget about us!

-- Frank Winters

When Franks belongings arrived, I found that he, too, had written poems. I am only sending you one, there are to many for e-mail. This will kind of give you a feel for the kind of person he was even though he was a Ranger. Frank never saw any combat. One of his goals was to earn his CIB (Combat Infantryman's Badge), but he died too soon.
-- Susan Winters

Susan: Thank you for sharing Frank with me. I am honored to be able to remember him here!

FD Winters Gravesite PHOTO June 2003

Photos By M. R. Patterson, 27 June 2003
Updated: 6 July 2003