Houston veteran honored posthumously with banner ceremony
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Sherry Harvison embraces Agnes Engel during a banner ceremony Wednesday afternoon in honor of the late Frank Gorup Jr. “The last time I saw him was on Saturday. He gave me a hug and told me he loved me,” said Harvison.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Sam Lauricia, who was like a brother to Frank Gorup Jr., thanks family members and friends for honoring “Squirrel” with a banner ceremony on what would have been his 99th birthday. Lauricia nominated Gorup for an American Legion honor position in 2015 and enjoyed the drives to and from meetings with his best friend.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Veterans salute as the Frank Gorup Jr. banner is revealed during a special ceremony Wednesday afternoon, on what would have been the World War II veteran’s 99th birthday. “He missed it by six days,” said best friend Sam Lauricia. “He meant everything to everybody.”
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
A banner honoring Frank Gorup Jr., a World War II Army veteran who passed March 30, just six days shy of his 99th birthday, hangs outside American Legion Post 902, where the veteran, gardener and exercise enthusiast served as 3rd Vice Commander.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
A photo of the late Frank Gorup Jr. stands inside American Legion Post 902 Wednesday afternoon. Family members and friends gathered to celebrate the World War II veteran’s birthday with a banner ceremony and lunch, during which memories were shared.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Frank Gorup Jr. is pictured here wading ashore with Gen. Douglas MacArthur in Leyte, Philippines, during World War II. Gorup who immigrated to the U.S. at 6 months old with his mother, was drafted into the U.S. Army and remained involved through service to the American Legion and by burning flags according to proper ceremony for neighbors and loved ones.
A collection of Frank Gorup Jr.'s military ball caps was on display at American Legion Post 902 Wednesday afternoon, where people gathered for a banner ceremony in his honor before enjoying lunch and sharing their favorite "Squirrel" memories.
Allison Engel Thompson, left, and her brother Edward Engel, right, embrace Bill Newell following a speech honoring the late Frank Gorup Jr., who was like a father to all three. Newell said playing ball with Gorup, a father figure to him and uncle to the others, is one of his favorite childhood memories.
HOUSTON – Family and friends gathered at the American Legion Post 902 in Houston Wednesday afternoon for a banner ceremony honoring Frank “Squirrel” Gorup Jr., who passed away March 30, six days before his 99th birthday.
The banner unveiling was originally planned as a surprise for Gorup, but instead served as a celebration of a long life well lived.
“Well, what started out as a birthday present to Squirrel is now a memorial to Squirrel,” said Sam Lauricia, a member of American Legion Post 902 who was like a brother to Gorup. “I only wish he would’ve been here to see it. He would be tremendously emotional about it. He was very proud of his service. To see that picture from 1942, 1943, would put him in awe. He would truly have loved it.”
Gorup, who immigrated to the United States from Slovenia at 6 months old with his mother (his father was waiting in Irwin for their arrival), moved to Muse as a child and graduated from Cecil High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Gorup served on several Pacific Islands, and was there on Oct. 20, 1944, when Gen. Douglas MacArthur waded ashore and famously declared, “People of the Philippines, I have returned.” Gorup marched alongside the general.
Gorup took pride in everything, said sister-in-law Agnes Engel, who lived next door to him for decades, including his service to this country and his garden, grown annually from seeds.
“He was an amazing guy. He served his country, he served his family, he served the Legion. He had so much to give, and he gave it,” she said.
Memories flowed freely Wednesday, as those nearly 50 individuals gathered shared what about Gorup they’ll carry with them. They laughed remembering his handshake, a mighty, vice-like grip that could bring a grown man to his knees, and smiled at his passion for polka; he never missed a Sunday Slovene Radio Hour broadcast.
Eldest nephew Willy Prost animatedly recalled Christmas at the American Legion, where Gorup took him to see Santa, and the “oranges the size of a grapefruit.” Edward Engel, also a nephew, said he enjoyed playing bocce with Gorup.
A favorite memory for niece Allison Engel Thompson includes planes, trains and automobiles. In 2018, she and her mother, Agnes Engel, accompanied Gorup on his bucket list trip to Slovenia. He was 94 years old when he set foot in his homeland – and he spoke the language fluently.
“He always talked about, his mother told him about the church bells that rang in the square in the town where he was born, they rang every 15 minutes. And I can tell you they did, all night long,” Engel Thompson laughed. “His family had a pew in the church, and he got to kneel in that family pew. It was just an amazing experience. But otherwise, the regular stuff with him: digging in the garden with my boys, Maxwell and Ian. He never asked for anything; he was very independent.”
Gorup’s boundless energy – even at 90 years old, he’d wrestle his great-nephews – and ever-flowing kindness, along with that handshake, were remembered fondly by all those in attendance at his banner ceremony.
While Gorup and his wife, Dorothy, had no children of their own, they had nieces, nephews and young neighbors for whom they were parent figures, Gorup especially a revered father figure.
“Frank didn’t have kids – that’s not true. He had me. He always made time for me,” said Bill Newell, who grew up on the Gorups’ street. “I don’t want to slight my parents; I have phenomenal parents. I’m a better man for having the father figures that I have.”
Sherry Harvison, bartender and adjudant at American Legion Post 902, said she’s better for having known Gorup, too.
“He’s just one of the most amazing men that has ever been in my life,” she said.
Wednesday’s banner ceremony, followed by a memorial lunch, was a way for all those present to honor a man for whom words simply aren’t enough.
“Everyone here respected him and loves him so much,” said Engel Thompson. “He’s probably smiling down on us. He would have been so excited today. We’re just happy that we could continue to honor him.”