Sgt Frank William Skokan US ARMY July 28,1951 Aug 10,2003

[White Oak]

Frank William Skokan AKA XGRUNT joined the Army Jan 9,1970 in Atlanta,GA.Did 8 weeks of basic training and 8 weeks of Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk,LA. High scores got him into the Infantry Leaders Course(12 weeks) at Fort Benning,GA.Arriving in Republic of South Vietnam March 25,1971,Infantry,Buck Sgt E-5 or "Shake and Bake".Assigned to 3/506th 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION.Voluteered to go to Recon Platoon and was accepted even with no field experiece,3/506th needed NCO's.Franks job required him and 5 more members to be inserted by chopper into the jungle and then stay hidden for 15 to 20 days.Their job is to report, be the eyes and ears for the 506th.A job that kept you tired,on edge and stresed at all times.A very dangerous job.In the fall of 1971 he was on Firebase Rifle when the NVA tried to take it.Many of his patrols were ambush actions.He was reassigned to Recon 1/501 101st in May 1971.His job there was the same,6 man patrols,20 days of bush. He left Vietnam Jan 30,1972 and was Honorably Discharged Jan 31,1972.Was awarded and his most prized possession the Combat Infantry Badge,The Bronze Star Metal,Air Metal,Vietnam Service Metal,National Defense Service Metal.Frank was very proud of his service to his country

[Desdichado]

:(

See you in Valhalla, chum.

[exlrrp]

God Bless, frank, it was good to know you.
See you on the other side

James Worth

Happy just to be alive

[formergrunt70]

Thanks WhiteOak that was nice just wish I had known earlier.Hope to see You soon!

"First Shirt"

[BLUEHAWK]

Thanks WhiteOak -

Never knew Frank in person, but in my short time on here we'd gone around the circle a time or two... On August 8th he and I were PM about a post where I was gettin' my ass shot off after shooting my mouth off, and he was protecting me, in private... sounds normal for xgrunt.

[ArtySgt]

WHITEOAK, thanks for sharing this with us, may he rest in peace at last.

[frisco-kid]

Looks to be a fine final resting place for a Fallen Eagle. From what I can tell, you're amongst some fitting comrades. You'll be remembered by alot of people whose lives you touched and impacted through the years so, therefore, never really gone. Thank you for your service.

"RENDEVOUZ WITH DESTINY," BRO!

[Arrow]

Danny, thank you....

[DMZ-LT]

Thanks for moving this thread over to Veterans Memorial , it's a nice quite place to talk with Frank .

[Gimptster]

Couldn't help but think about you this evening while holding my beautiful grandchildren in my arms on this Christmas Eve. I know your family must really be having a hard time of it on this first Christmas without you there.

But, your goodness and graciousness live on as long as one of us that knew you can remember and speak of you (and too you) with the admiration and love of one brother to another.

We will NEVER forget you.

PEACE and ETERNAL happiness to you, my Brother....... and Merry Christmas.

Gimpy

[phuloi]

Thinking of you,Brother,during this Holy Season.Rest at Ease.

[DMZ-LT]

What Griz and Gimp said. My daughter put on a jacket I hardley wear and it had Franks telephone number in the top pocket. She asked me what to do with it and I told her to just put it back and button the pocket .

[SEATJERKER]

...saw this yesterday, and thought it should be here also,...

...I served with Frank Skokan in Echo Recon 1/501, 101st during 1971. I got hold of him by e-mail a couple years ago. Then lost touch. I've been wondering why I've not gotten any responses to my recent e-mails. Surfing the web this early morning and my worst fears are confirmed. Trying to find him somewhere and I'm a little late and a lifetime short I was "Doc Urb" during our time in the Nam. Going through so many emotions right now I can't think quite straight. He told me about the burns he had received and I never got to ask him how he deals with all the pain, becuase I had and have been going through my own personal hell. Frank, thanks for every thing you did for me. From covering my ass to putting me in for that Soldiers Medal. I guess you thought I must have deserved it for swimming stark naked across that river to give the ol Sarge mouth to mouth and then exposing myself to the MEDEVAC crew as they dropped the jungle penetrator. I know you suffered and paid a price, but you are paid in full now brother and at rest with the Lord. Sorry I missed you before the ride was over. You will be in my prayers this holiday season as will all the other brothers and sisters that have posted such kind words for you. I hear you 5 x 5 brother and am saddened that you finally "skyed up". You were such a kid with that Georgia Peach baby face, but you were such a man and I Thank God I got to know you for a little while. Guess I'm rambling now bro'. See ya on the other side.

Jack "Doc Urb" Urbany

...

[DMZ-LT]

If you are wounded I will carry you. If you are captured I will come for you. And if you are killed I will never forget you.......... I'll never forget Frank. Happy Birthday , brother.

[Gimpy]

For posting this.

I'll never forget you for being there for our brother Frank last year.

May he rest in peace forever.

God bless you my brother and Happy Birthday. I'll never forget you.

[SEATJERKER]

...Thank you Gimpy for pullin' Frank's tribute up,...

......A year in peace,...

...I saw your bike in April, and I know how much you loved the wind,...
...I saw the smile on John's face every time he spoke of you,...


...We'll always miss your candid thoughts, and straight forward, no nonsence approach,...

...peace be with you on your eternal ride,...

...

[DMZ-LT]

A year today. Going to rain today but I rode your bike to work , getting wet don't seem to bad. We'll have a beer and a shot after work. Miss you.Peace bro.Riding in memory of Frank " Torch" Skokan

[Gimpy]

my brother ....ride on!

I miss him too. :(

Thanks for being there that day.

[Arrow]

Frank, thank you for being my friend. Sis

[DMZ-LT]

Don't seem like two years. Bet you were smiling when the gas was pouring out of the bottom of the bike last week. I almost became Torch II. Sid and I will be down to see you soon. Miss you brother. :xx:

[DMZ-LT]

Think of you every day and see you in the flash off a windshield and the flight of a hawk. I ride with " Riding in memory of Frank " Torch " Skokan " on my leathers . Rest in Peace xgrunt and thanks for being my brother

[Jerry D]

RIP Frank , as long as friends remember you , you will be immortal and in thier hearts. :a:

[urbsdad6]

Had an itch to come talk to you Frank. I have a huge case of the @ss. Some simple minded moronic, F%#knut, porno dimp, posted a link at the end of your Memorials, http://www.patriotfiles.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=262153#post262153 If I could I would rip off their head and Shiite down their neck. I reported the post and I'm sure it will get removed but in the meantime my blood is boiling Frank. Let them do what they will to me, but nobody f*@ks with my men. I am sorry this happened bro. See you on the other side.

Doc Urb

[DMZ-LT]

Frank is just laughing Doc. David said it's just a computer thing. Frank remembered you and loved you as a brother.

[urbsdad6]

Well Frank it's a month past due but I'm still thinkin about you as we all do. Ran into Russ Hambley on the net but haven't been able to get in touch since. Hope you've come to terms cause I haven't and don't know if I will, but I'll just take a few more baby steps even on those big hills.

Doc Urb

[DMZ-LT]

Back to the top. Thanks for being my friend , my brother. Bikes running fine as you know.

[DMZ-LT]

Still talking to you Frank. Got a 24 year old Harley trained mechanic keeping your bike in great shape. I used to take him camping and fishing when he was 7. " Riding in memory of "Frank
'Torch" Skokan

[DMZ-LT]

Happy Birthday , Brother. Sat in your chair up in the mountains last week end. Doc Urb sent me some pictures of you from the recon platoon you two were in , in Vietnam. Got yours and Andys pictures in my office and still think of you often. Will raise a glass to toast you tonight ! Scouts Out !!

[urbsdad6]

Well Frank, I'm late again. Happy late birthday. I was out walking the other day and remembered LT telling me about "baby steps". I needed that. Thanks Bro.

Doc Urb

[DMZ-LT]

Thanks Doc. Rode his bike yesterday and it was a beautiful day. Still got his chair up in the mountains. Love to sit in it and watch the sunset and remember. Still smile thinking of him riding the Harley into a lake. Know he is smiling at us every day

[DMZ-LT]

Getting warm here in Atlanta. Got your bike out of my neighbors garage and got it standing tall and ready to ride. Might even coach my grandson into a ride this year.Think of you often , brother.

[urbsdad6]

Frank,

Well brother I'm either late, early, or somewhere in between. Call me superstitous. Found Doc Hicks living 40 minutes away and he says "Hi". Our female dog died the day before my 59th birthday 2 yrs ago but I got to say goodbye. Our male (her pup)died this summer the day after FSB Rifle got hit and I didn't get to say goodbye. You know I think we all understand the finiteness of life as a prerequisite for occupying these meatbags we wear and I have had a handle since childhood on the infiniteness of consciousness expressed through these meatbags. What I don't get is why we can't always say goodbye the way we'd like to? Still miss ya man and I'll be saying goodbye for a long time to come.

[DMZ-LT]

You are just about right on Doc Urb. Been 8 years ago today he passed on and I still miss him too. Don't understand it either but if my Mom was here she would be saying " It's not your will son it's His and it's not your way it's His way" .Frank loved you as his brother , you were one of the first of his friends I learned about when I met him . We will both miss him . He has gone on but as long as people remember him he will never die. Peace Brother. Keep Movin !