CPL Prather

  A Slow two weeks...
   For everyone else. First, Grandpa Fred passed two sundays ago.  He'd had a stroke that Monday and was in the hospital.  The Mrs and the kids went up just right before Valentines day, in case the worst was to happen, and it did. I made the drive to IN myself with the dogs for the services and to help out.
  Fred was born in a place he called Toad Hop IN. in 1919.  I don't know if that is or was ever a real town in IN, it could just be a state of mind there as that mentality still exists. Not much was ever said about life before WWII, 'cept they were all dirt poor and glad to have what little they did.  Shoes weren't mentioned.  Memorable events started with the war for them.  
   North Africa, Sicily, England, Omaha Red, Belgium, Germany.  He was like the Forrest Gump of WWII.  He had the kids memorize 9ID's major campaigns.  He spoke only of generalities at first, as I got to know him better later, some details came out.  What struck me is that those guys were gone at war for nearly four years straight.  There was no CONUS R&R trip at the half-way point.  No leave.  Fred left for WWII in '42 and did not return to the US until 5 months after VE day in '45, it was almost '46.  
   He recalled tales of combat under Gen. Patton, Gen Bradley, and his Company Commander Captain Westmoreland, yes, that Westmoreland, whom he later refered to fondly as"Westy", for promoting him back to Corporal after being busted to PVT at the Battalion CP for insubordination.  
  Never complained about the shrapnel in his leg or his ass, though he limped always.    
  He told me of at least three occasions when the regiment wanted to promote him to sergeant but he'd either turned it down or done something deliberate to get busted back down.  Sergeants got killed every day he said.  
  He quit drinking in his later years but would happily sit in lawn chairs with me under the shade of a big oak and share half a beer and tell lies and laugh and tease his great grandkids under an Indiana summer sky. That's how I'll remember him.  
  Eight Stars to Victory Cpl Prather.

Comments

[tim]

Sorry for your loss Smokin, he sounded like a hell of a guy.

[Tammi]

My condolences Smokin', but ohhhh how lucky to have that time with a Man like that! What a legacy....

[Ron]

Hey Cuz, Nancy and I send our condolences to you and your clan. I used to love to sit with my gramps and listen to his stories about his time with Gen Patton. We are sorry for your loss. And thanks for bringing back some good memories.

[Smokin]

Thanks guys. We'll miss him. IN summertime won't be the same without him.

[Quality Weenie]

Prayers and thoughts to your family.

How great to have people like your Grandpa Fred to talk with. God Bless him!