The Niles Star

A ‘great American hero’

By KATIE JOHNSON
Niles Daily Star

Those close to Daniel Frazier knew him as a simple, loving man of sound character with an irresistible smile; his comrades in the military knew him as the “perfect friend” and a “great American hero.”

A tribute to Sgt. Frazier, 25, formerly of Niles and St. Joseph, was held Monday at Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles, 11 days after he was killed in the Afghanistan Province of Zabul during his second tour of duty with the United States Army, 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

According to the Defense Department, Frazier and Staff Sgt. John Cleaver, of Marysville, Wash., died of injuries from a suicide car bomber attack while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Frazier was born on Jan. 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.

Army Chaplain Larry McCarty of the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg spoke about the fallen hero Monday.

“Daniel’s death contributed to the saving of over 40 lives,” he said. “Future generations will be born again … it didn’t just stop there.

“Daniel’s death wasn’t just heroic, but biblically speaking, it was an act of love,” McCarty said. “Daniel’s mission and purpose he died for was a God-inspired mission. For us not to value the purpose behind his death would be for us to discredit his death.
“Sometimes we see an individual who talks the talk and walks the walk,” he said. “He lived his Army values to the very end. He didn’t just talk it – on that final day, he lived them.”

Maj. Gen. Scott G. West spoke briefly and presented Frazier’s wife, Brittany Frazier, of Fayetteville, N.C.; mother, Roxana Walter, of Pace, Fla.; and father, David Frazier, of Niles, each with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his “contributions to our nation’s continued war on terrorism.”

West explained that he was representing those who could not be there, including Frazier’s fellow paratroopers.

“He was an extremely hard worker, and gave 100 percent with everything he did,” West said. One paratrooper called Frazier a “perfect friend.”

“This is a great American hero,” West said.

Members of the Blue Star Mothers, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Joseph Police Department were also in attendance. The Patriot Guard Riders stood by the entryways folding flags.

“Go Rest High on That Mountain” and “Amazing Grace” were sung during the ceremony, which was officiated by Pastor Jerry Solis, of Three Rivers. After the honors were presented, officers removed the flag draped over the casket and folded it using military procedure. West presented the flag to Frazier’s wife, and he also gave flags to his parents. Three shots were fired outside the church, and a bugler played “Taps.”
Frazier will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.