Fallen soldier, SPC Luke Frist, honored at Lafayette armory

120th Public Affairs Detachment

Mother Patti Frist, and father Dennis Frist of fallen soldier Spc. Luke Frist, stand with Indiana Adjutant General Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger at the Lafayette, Ind., National Guard and Reserve Center, Aug. 6. Umbarger and the family dedicated their son’s shadowbox to the armory’s Wall of Honor, memorializing their son’s sacrifice over the facility’s drill floor. Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. John Crosby, 120th Public Affairs Detachment.  Photo by Sgt. John Crosby

08.06.2011 Story by Sgt. John Crosby LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Family, friends and comrades of a fallen U.S. Army Reserve soldier gathered at the Lafayette, Ind., Armory today, Saturday, Aug. 6 to induct his shadowbox to the facility’s “Wall of Honor.”

Hundreds from the 209th Quartermaster Company community were present to honor Spc. Luke P. Frist, who died at Brooks Army Medical Center Jan. 5, 2004 from wounds sustained near Ramadi, Iraq, three days prior.

His unit was hauling fuel for the 1st Infantry Division, a vital logistical mission to the success of the forces operating in the area at that time, when his convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device just miles from their destination.

“Spc. Frist was a friend, a brother and a beloved son,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Wethington of Clayton, Ind., who was there the day his friend and brother-in-arms was fatally wounded. “There just wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. His will-power, strength and ability to make the best of any situation made him one of the best friends you could ask for.”

“He was strong, you couldn’t beat him,” Wethington reflected. “He was always wrestling somebody down, always making new friends. He was there for you anytime you needed help, he was always first to volunteer.”

Wethington said the Frist family maintains strong ties with the 209th Quartermaster community. His father Dennis was always there to give you one of his famous bear hugs and every drill weekend you could find his mother Patti busy putting together days like today, family days and holiday gatherings.

Patti has been the unit’s family readiness group leader for more than eight years, since before her son’s passing.

“It’s been a very emotional day, I’m very appreciative of what general Umbarger has started here,” Patti said. Hopefully, we don’t have to add anymore names to this wall. Never forget their names, never forget their sacrifice. Remember that it’s somebody’s child, somebody’s spouse, and they went on and did what they felt was right. Always remember.”

Frist’s honoring is part of the 209th Quartermaster’s way of settling into their new home in Lafayette at the new National Guard and Reserve Armory there. The unit moved to the new armory after its $28 million addition late last year, part of the National Guard Base Realignment and Closure program.

The Wall of Honor sits over the armory drill floor, set as a constant reminder to those serving there.

“I felt like it belonged right here on the drill floor, so that everyone of you, when you hold first formation, when your first sergeant gives you your assignments of the day, it’s always there for you to remember,” said Indiana Adjutant General Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger at the dedication. “When the day is over and you’re holding final formation, before you say goodbye and you’re free to go home to your families, he’s always right there, whenever you look up. And you should always remember. You should always look up.”