Thank You Letter From the Family of Frank Brooks

A note of thanks:
 
The family of PFC Thomas Franklin Brooks would like to express our sincere and deepest gratitude for the amazing homecoming for Uncle Frank.   From the time that his plane departed Hawaii until his burial at Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, he was honored by family, friends, the military and untold others who desired to show their respect for a young man who gave his life so many years ago. 
 
The flags, flowers, yellow bows and ribbons, banners, posters and tributes throughout this county and our community have truly touched our hearts. Each step along this journey is almost indescribable, as we cannot capture the emotions or explain our feelings. It was overwhelming at times and tears flowed unashamedly for what we witnessed and experienced.
 
We appreciated every person who honored the procession with respectful silence, standing at salute, hands over hearts, heads bowed, hats removed and the flags that were waved.  We loved seeing the children standing attentive and being curious.  These images are forever etched in our hearts.
 
We are thankful for our military and all who have served our country; and we are thankful to each of you who support them.  Please know that we felt your support.

Our family is forever thankful for a country that still believes in bringing our missing home and to a community that embraced his return.  You will never know how this has touched our hearts and made us feel even more proud to call Edmonson County our home. “Thank You” from the bottom of our hearts.
 
There is no way that we can list all who have donated their time, money, or labor to help us prepare for his homecoming.  It was well beyond all expectations. Every act of kindness or support, small or great, was noticed by someone.  If we have omitted you, please accept our sincere apology, as it was unintended. 
 
Our hope and prayers are that his life will be an inspiration and his legacy will be remembered.  May God Bless you and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
 
Sincerely, a grateful family,
Gerald Carroll, great nephew
 
With special thanks to:

• Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
• United States Army
• Kentucky National Guard
• Kentucky National Guard Memorial
• Patton Funeral Home and Brother Jerry Patton
  
• Grayson County Judge Executive
• Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office
• Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
• Kentucky State Police
• Louisville Fire Departments: Fern Creek, Louisville, Jeffersontown, Okolona, Zoneton, Anchorage,

Middletown, Fairdale, and Pleasure Ridge Park

• Edmonson County Volunteer Fire Departments
• Edmonson County Judge Executive
• Edmonson County Public Schools
• Edmonson County Public Library
• Madison’s Flowers, Whittle’s Fabrics, Creekside Nursery
• WRECC, Brooks Motor and Electric, Clark and RC Cola Distributors
• Paula Ratliff, Family Spokeswoman and Writer
• All media outlets, social media managers and writers
• Gerald Printing, JOBE Publishing, and the Edmonson Voice
  
• James Perry, Photographer
• Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Church
• Jarad Bagshaw
• Mission BBQ
• TAYVIN Gardens
• Tommy Lashley, Mike and Judy Lindsey, Kim Ashley, Tessa Brooks, and Melanie Vincent
• Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard, Charging Forward for America, The Flag Man Mission Continues
• All Veterans Associations and Groups, VFW Post 6937, DAV Post 32 Auxiliary
• Sons of the American Revolution

AND ESPECIALLY:  The community of Edmonson County