Alum’s book tells stories behind veterans honored on Baylor’s memorial lampposts

For Memorial Day, we wrote our usual 200 words or so about the memorial lampposts that honor many of the Baylor alumni who have served our country, including a large number who have given their lives in service.

Frank Jasek, BBA ’73, has gone much deeper.

For more than a decade, Jasek — a preservation specialist for Baylor Libraries — has been investigating the stories behind the names on those lampposts. The plaques list the veteran’s name, branch of service, years at Baylor and year of death. Jasek wanted to know more.

The stories he’s found are inspiring: the World War II vet who entered Baylor at 13, graduated at 17, then was drafted and was killed at Okinawa; the NoZe Brothers who went on to serve in the armed forces; and the many other tales of Baylor alumni who have served, from the Civil War to the war in Iraq.

Jasek is looking to self-publish a book to share the stories; for more on that effort, check out this story from today’s Baylor Lariat.

Sic ’em, Frank, and sic ’em, Baylor veterans!