U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 920-09
November 23, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died November 19, 2009, in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when a suicide car-bomber attacked their unit. They were assigned to the 782d Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Killed were:
Staff Sergeant John J. Cleaver, 36, of Marysville, Washington
Sergeant Daniel A. Frazier, 25, of Saint Joseph, Michigan
For more information the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661.
American flags fluttered under an overcast sky as members of the Indiana Patriot Guard assembled with their motorcycles.
But the bikers weren’t there for a morning road trip – they had a job to do.
The body of Sergeant Daniel Frazier, who was formerly of Niles and St. Joseph and stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, came home at approximately 9:40 a.m. Friday to the Atlantic South Bend Terminal, where a hearse and procession of police officers, the Patriot Guard and family traveled to Brown Funeral Home in Niles.
“Freedom isn’t free,” a comrade added.
Frazier, 25, was killed November 18, 2009, in the Afghanistan Province of Zabul during his second tour of duty with the United States Army. According to the Defense Department, Frazier and Staff Sergeant John Cleaver, of Marysville, Washington, died of injuries from a suicide car bomber attack while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They were assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
Frazier was born on January 9, 1984 in Berrien Springs. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in St. Joseph in 2003 and enlisted in the Army in 2005 at age 22.
Frazier is the son of David (Sheri) Frazier, of Niles, and Roxana Walter, of Pace, Florida. He also leaves a wife whom he married on March 21, 2009, Brittany Frazier, of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Visitation will be held Sunday at Brown Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m., with a celebration honoring Frazier’s life Monday at 11 a.m. at the Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day Monday in honor of Frazier.
He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
30 November 2009More than a week ago Army Sergeant Daniel Frazier died in Afghanistan, after he and another soldier reportedly stopped a suicide bomber outside their base and saved dozens of lives.
Frazier, a graduate of St. Joseph High School in St. Joseph, Michigan, was on his second tour of duty.
Frazier was 25 years old; he was a husband, and a son. He was also a hero.
“He died, defending his country, his family and defending people that he doesn’t even know,” said Anna Phillips, who stopped by in Niles on Sunday to pay her respects.
Phillips didn’t know Frazier. Neither did Bruce Kibler.
“I don’t think you can make sense of it,” said Kibler.
Those who came on Sunday weren’t trying to make sense of what happened. Instead, they offered support.
“I think it’s the only right thing to do since they’re over there doing something that they should be home doing,” said Phillips. “So, we come out to pay respects,” she said.
That’s why the Patriot Guard Riders stood outside the doors Sunday – to be there for a family coping with the ultimate loss.
“They need support now, more than ever,” said Ralph Mishler, with the Patriot Guard. “They need to know that there are people in the community that care for the loss they have suffered,” he said.
On Monday, folks can come out to offer that support. The funeral for Sergeant Frazier will be at 11 a.m. at Michiana Christian Embassy on 1922 E. Main Street in Niles and it is open to the public.
Frazier later will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors.
30 November 2009:Family and friends gathered Monday with heavy hearts to remember a man the Army is calling a “great American hero.”
25-year-old Sergeant Daniel Frazier was killed in action Noveber 19, 2009, during a suicide attack near his base in Afghanistan.
More than 200 people came to Sergeant Frazier’s funeral Monday in Niles to remember his life; including his wife, his parents, his six brothers and sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
An Army two-star general was also at the ceremony to help stress how remarkable Frazier’s sacrifice was and to thank his family for their sacrifice.
The flag-draped casket is a military family’s worst fears realized.
“I can’t know the depths of your sorrow, I can’t even pretend to know,” said Major General Scott West as he spoke at Frazier’s funeral.
Despite their significance, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart presented to Frazier’s family during the ceremony are little consolation for what was lost.
“I pray that you hold on to your love and your memories, because they truly last forever,” said Army Chaplain Larry McCarty
The 2003 St. Joseph Michigan high school grad was an ‘everyman.’ Frazier liked to play video games, enjoyed “mud bogging” on the weekends, and just 8 months ago he became a husband.
Now, he’s something else.
“This is a great American hero,” Major General West said.
“Dying itself does not make someone a hero. It’s what someone dies for that makes them a hero,” said Pastor Jerry Solis, who officiated the funeral.
Reports say Frazier and another soldier may have saved more than 40 lives as they tried to prevent a suicide attack near their base.
“Because of Daniel’s actions, parents will be able to welcome their kids home, wives will hold their husbands, children will play with their daddies and future generations will be born,” Solis said.
Maj. Gen. West said that during a ceremony in Afghanistan, Frazier’s fellow soldiers remembered him as ‘a quiet professional,’ and a ‘perfect friend’ who followed the military’s values.
“He didn’t just talk them. On that final day he lived them, placing himself in harm’s way. He lived them, a true warrior and American hero. Never forget that he lived his values to the very end,” McCarty said, addressing Frazier’s parents and wife.
“His Army family shares in your sorrow and in your loss, we share your pain. Just like you, his Army family will never forget him,” Major General West said.
Frazier enlisted in the army in 2006, and this was his second tour of duty.
His family says he was considered a “big brother” to many of his fellow soldiers over the years, and the Army says even his superiors remember him as a great leader.
Frazier’s body is being cremated and transferred to Virginia, where he’ll be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on December 22nd among thousands of others who have died serving their country.
21 December 2009:
An American hero will be laid to rest Tuesday (22 December 2009) at Arlington National Cemetery.
25-year-old Sergeant Daniel Frazier of Niles was killed in Afghanistan on November 19th when he and another soldier stopped a suicide bomber to save dozens of lives.
Tuesday morning, his ashes will be buried at Arlington at 9:00am.
More than 200 people attended his funeral in November.
His wife and parents were presented the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
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Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard