My great grandfather, David Cardwell Frederick, told his wife he was going to town for a loaf of bread. Instead, he and his brother Samuel joined the Army. In a few months they were on the front lines in France. Their unit, the 140th Infantry division, part of the 35th division, fought in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, in which both my grand father and his brother were wounded. My grandfather returned home after the war but his brother will always remain in France, another casualty in the war to end all wars.
In 1944, my Grandfather, John Samuel Frederick, also a part of the 35th division landed on Omaha beach, fought through the hedge rows and on to the border of Germany, His unit also took part in the rush to relieve the troops around Bastogne. I know this not from my grandfather, but from reading the archives of the 35th division in World War 2. My grandfather would never speak of the war and after reading about the battles they fought in, I understand why.
In 1961, during the Berlin Crisis, my father Jimmie Dale Frederick was at Check Point Charlie staring down the Soviet war machine as it constructed the Berlin wall and sealed off eastern Europe from the West. Although never in combat, my father served for 9 years.
Jimme Dale Frederick
In 1984, I joined the Army and was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for basic training. I trained as a forward observer and was stationed in Hanau Germany and Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. I never saw combat and feel fortunate that I didn't. I did, however, feel a connection with my forefathers during reforger 1985 (return of forces Europe). It is a week long training exercise in which the units that fought in Europe return for maneuvers; It even includes troops from England, Germany, and France. I met my wife Martina while stationed in Germany and that makes my time in the service worth every minute.
John Michael Frederick
I Know that I had relatives that fought in the civil war and possibly others, but without actual information I did not include them in the blog entry. I am proud of my service and even more proud to follow in my families footsteps. We are a small group of Americans that put aside our personal wants to serve our country and on this day, I salute all who have served in any capacity. Happy Veterans day!
