Late Saturday night, Samantha Perry was on the phone with a friend, searching for another friend’s phone number. Then the friend asked if she’d heard.

Perry asked about what, and the friend gave her some sad news.

Windsor High graduate Frank Manning, whom Perry had known for three years, had been killed in a car accident on U.S. 460 – about a quarter mile from Perry’s house – a few hours earlier, along with his cousin Justin Russell and their friend Samuel Gust. Windsor held a memorial service for the three Wednesday evening.

&uot;I just started calling everyone,&uot; said Perry, a junior at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. &uot;The next day, I was on the phone all day with people who knew them.&uot;

On Monday in study hall, she started writing.

&uot;I just wanted to get the words out,&uot; she said. &uot;I write poems all the time about things that happen, like in the news.&uot;

Eventually, she turned out, &uot;Angels Fly.&uot;

&uot;Angels Fly&uot;

May twenty-first a sudden shock hit this small town

Phones rang, sending the news quickly around

Skid marks and smoke without a blink

The road covered with charcoal black ink

Fire trucks roar and sirens scream

Everyone who heard wished it were a dream

People rushed to the crash sight

Not knowing this would mark an unforgettable night

They were gone like blown out flames

But to all UNKNOWN would never take the place of their names

News headlines that we keep hearing

Seem to weaken the ones that cannot stop tearing

Their initials FM, JR, SG will always remain

In the minds of all like an everlasting stain

Frank’s athleticism was like a burning fire

Certainly baseball fulfilled for that one desire

Justin and Sam were friends to all each day

Every person could describe them in a special way

With one unforgiving move they were taken from Earth

Leaving behind great pain and hurt

Riding by the wreckage sight only brings back that Saturday night

Hoping to comfort all that ones that know the guys are all right

They rest up high with God above

Always looking down upon the ones they truly LOVE

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com