Detroit News -- FARMINGTON HILLS - The family Bible lies open on the coffee table to Romans 8:28. Underlined and well-worn, the passage provides comfort, but the pain is great.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
 Bill and Sue Frank know the passage well. They've read it repeatedly since their son, Stephen Frank, 29, and his Army buddy, Ralph John "Jay" Harting III, 28, died near Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday when a truck they were inspecting at a checkpoint exploded.
Both Michigan natives and 1998 U.S. Military Academy graduates, the two were captains stationed in Fort Irwin Army base near Barstow, Calif. Both had been in Iraq less than four months.
Frank was set this week to take command from Harting of a unit of 120 men within the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment. Harting was to lead a unit of 400 soldiers.
Both left behind young families and relatives struggling with pain and coping through their faith.
Bill Frank spent Tuesday making more room in his two refrigerators for food from well-wishers and leafing through snapshots of the son who dressed as a soldier for Halloween.
Frank was a 1994 graduate of Haslett High School near Lansing. He always wanted to be a soldier, as evidenced by a collage of more than 25 photos in the his parents' living room.
"We felt that God's hand was following Stephen and he was fulfilling his destiny," Bill Frank said. "He was where he needed to be. "We still feel this was his destiny. "Our faith in God is strong, but I don't know if there is any greater sorrow," Bill Frank said.
His son was married to the former Laurel Hayes for five years. They have a 2-year-old son, Alexander.
On Tuesday, Frank re-read a letter his son sent March 19. It read, in part, "I am scheduled to take command on 6 May. I am very excited. Please pray that God gives me the wisdom, strength and endurance I will need to accomplish our mission and care for my men."
These days, the prayers from the men's families are for strength.
Bill Frank said he could barely remember when his son didn't want to be a soldier. A table filled with more than 25 photos in the Franks' living room bears that out.
One photo shows 6-year-old Stephen dressed in fatigues and black combat makeup, carrying a toy gun and binoculars. Next to it is a newspaper clipping when he was a little older playing soldier with a chum.
"When he was very young, he told me, 'Dad, if a person doesn't have anything they believe in enough to die for, then what do they have?'," Bill Frank said.
On Tuesday, Frank re-read a letter his son sent March 19. It read, in part, "I am scheduled to take command on 6 May. I am very excited. Please pray that God gives me the wisdom, strength and endurance I will need to accomplish our mission and care for my men."
A 1994 graduate of Haslett High School in 1994, Stephen Frank tailored his high school years to qualify for the US Military Academy in West Point. He formed a chapter of the Young Republicans in high school, played the baritone saxophone in the band and wrestled in the 138-pound weight class.
His parents moved to Farmington Hills seven years ago, two years before Frank married Laurel Hayes. Their son, Alexander, is 2. | 
Sir, I would like to say thank you to you and the other soldier who died in your unit(2/11th ACR) for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
"Black Horse-Allons"(Let's Go)11th ACR Motto