It is difficult to put into words the love, admiration, respect and friendship that my father engendered during his 88 years. Fletcher's quiet counsel and gentlemanly manner are never forgotten by anyone who met him. He was a superior role model, spiritual mentor, skilled advisor and outstanding father. The devotion to his wife and family through 50 years of marriage epitomizes his fundamental beliefs in duty, honor and country.

Fletcher Cole was born in Columbia Hospital, Washington, DC on April 30, 1909. He was the only son of Susanne Chase Fletcher and Major Henry (Harry) Greene Cole, Jr. (West Point Class of 1892) of Marietta, Georgia. Harry was the son of Georgia Caroline Fletcher and Henry Greene Cole, who was a descendant of General Nathaniel Greene. This lineage descends from Robert Fletcher, who landed on the coast of Massachusetts in 1630, and is linked to the family of General Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill fame. Fletcher's mother, Susanne Fletcher, was a well-known social figure in Minneapolis and Washington. She is the niece of The Honorable Loren Fletcher, a four term member of Congress and a prominent businessman in Minneapolis.

Fletcher's wife of 50 years is the former Anne Marshall Magruder, daughter of Brigadier General Marshall Magruder and Anne Louise Peyton. General Magruder's father, George Corbin Washington Magruder, was a descendent of Colonel John Washington. Anne Louise Peyton is the daughter of Frank Lewis Peyton III. Frank Lewis Peyton's ancestors, the Thoroughgoods moved to Charles County Maryland from England in the 1600's.

In 1931, Fletcher graduated from West Point and subsequently, was stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia from 1931 through 1935. Duties included auxiliary activity with the Civilian Conservation Corp and serving as a Military Aide to the White House. Invitations from President and Mrs. Hoover to attend White House receptions are in my Dad's scrapbook. Fletcher's roommate at West Point was Johnny Waters, who married Ruth Ellen Patton. My Dad was best man at this wedding and my mother was an attendant to Ruth Ellen. They both remained long time friends with General John Waters and the General George S. Patton family.

In 1936, Fletcher graduated from the US Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas. From 1937 to 1938 Fletcher was assigned to the 13th Mechanized Cavalry. His skill at horsemanship is evident by the sterling bowl won by Lieutenant Cole during the Leadership Test for small units. He was commanding a platoon of Troop F, Third Cavalry at the time of the award.

From 1938 to 1940 Lieutenant Cole was assigned again to Fort Myers, VA as a White House Military Aide in addition to being the Adjutant of the 2nd Squadron 3rd Cavalry. Fletcher was a part-time supervisor of Mrs. Roosevelt's horses and a riding companion to her. Fletcher's scrap book indicates he was invited to a number of White House functions and one letter from Mrs. Roosevelt's secretary addressed to Lieutenant Cole quotes "Mrs. Roosevelt is asking a few friends to dine with her on Monday, May sixth, at seven-thirty, and she hopes that you can come."

Lt. Cole was assigned from 1940 to 1942 to the 4th Reconnaissance Troop, 4th Division Motorized at Fort Benning, GA. My father's military career was ending as a result of crippling arthritis and consequently, in 1941 he was in the process of selling his horse to the government. A letter dated November 27th 1941 instructed now, Captain Cole, to turn over his horse to the Quartermaster at Fort Benning and that he had been allotted $161.96 for the animal.

Arthritis cut Capt. Cole's military career short during the war years and forced an early retirement for medical reasons on February 28, 1942.

Fletcher's interests in a military career were influenced very early by his father and later, by his stepfather. His father, Major Cole, had a distinguished military career serving in the Philippines in the 23rd infantry subsequently serving in Cuba and once stateside, as a Military Aide to the White House. Unfortunately, Major Cole died on October 13, 1912 of Typhoid fever when Fletcher was only 3 years old. In 1916, his mother married another active military gentleman, Col. Fitzhugh Lee, whose father was the famous Civil War General of the same name and a nephew of Robert E. Lee. Fletcher attended Culver Military Academy, El Paso High School and graduated from St Lukes School in Wayne, Pennsylvania. All of this no doubt encouraged Fletcher to apply to the Academy, where he was appointed by Senator Thomas D. Schall, a Minnesota Senator.

After the war Fletcher graduated from the University of Florida Law School and moved to Palm Beach in 1949 with his bride Anne Marshall Magruder of Atlanta. Fletcher practiced in Palm Beach with the real estate firm of Charles Wilson for several years. Community causes, however, turned out to be Fletcher's primary calling. During the 45 years of Palm Beach residency Fletcher served as president of The Colonial Wars of Florida, frequently ushered and participated in church activities at Bethesda-by-the-Sea, was a Trustee of Palm Beach Day School, a Civil Defense Volunteer, and a member of the English Speaking Union and Palm Beach Pundits. Additionally, Fletcher was on the Vestry of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Cashiers, NC. The Cole's summer home in Cashiers has been visited by the family for 40 years and remains a summer retreat.

Fletcher has always taken an active role in supporting various West Point activities through keeping in touch with classmates and attending events. Fletcher has been a regular at his West Point Reunions and most recently, attended his 65th reunion in 1996 with five members of his family. In addition, in 1992 Fletcher was one of the speakers at the Centennial Reunion of the Class of 1892, his father's class. Fletcher was an active member of the U.S. Calvary Association and the Florida Calvary Association. Notwithstanding my fathers relatively short military career, he always used the signature block of Captain USA, Ret. indicating his dedication to the Army and commitment to serving our country through the armed forces.

As I reflect on my Dad's life, I realize Fletcher served his country, family and the community to the fullest extent possible.

Fletcher is survived by his wife of 50 years Anne Magruder Cole, sons Loren F. Cole Jr. of Seattle, Peyton Magruder Cole of Palm Beach and daughter Susanne Cole Wean of Pittsburgh. In addition, Cpt. Cole has four grandchildren, Peyton Magruder Cole Jr, and Laura Anne Cole, Tyler Fletcher Wean and Britton Peyton Wean.

We all miss Fletcher and the country should miss a great patriot and champion of the words "Duty, Honor, Country".

Loren Fletcher Cole Jr.

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