thedrifter
02-14-07, 08:21 AM
Joshua J. Frazier
Date published: 2/14/2007
Joshua J. Frazier
Marine Corps Sgt. Joshua James Frazier, 24, of Spotsylvania County died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, while serving his nation in Iraq.
He was a loving son, grandson, a supportive brother, a friend to everyone he met, and a true Marine, but to all of us, he was Josh.
After graduating from Spotsylvania High School in 2000, Josh, like others his age, tried to decide what to do next. When the country fell under a terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, he felt compelled to join the Marines, where he found his calling.
After graduating from Boot Camp in February 2003, Josh was deployed to Okinawa, Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq. When he returned from Iraq in April 2005, he was determined to return because "the job was not finished." The thought of sending young men to Iraq with no combat experience broke his heart.
Josh believed that he could save lives by bringing his knowledge and experience to the fight. He lobbied for a second deployment, transferred battalions, and even extended his time in order to return to Iraq in September 2006. While in Iraq for his second deployment, even though he had the opportunity to return home, he volunteered for another extension because his men did not have that choice.
During his time in service, Josh was promoted quickly because of merit and not length of service. His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and four awards of the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Josh's eagerness to return to help his fellow Marines sums up his personality. He was compassionate, caring, and willing to put the safety and well-being of others above his own. Josh was always the first to help his family and friends in a time of need. Josh was a strong man in body, will, spirit and personality.
He had a firm handshake, a warm smile, a hearty laugh and a hug that gave the sense of protection. His only fear was that someone might get hurt when he had the ability to save them.
Josh will be remembered by the Marines he protected and his friends and family he loved.
Survivors include his mother, Shelia Cutshall of Spotsylvania County; his father, Rick Frazier and his wife, Jana, of Spotsylvania; two brothers, Aaron Mallin of Reston and Alex Brady of Spotsylvania; a sister, Stefanie Brady-Taylor of Washington, D.C.; his maternal grandmother, Elaine Rice of Spotsylvania; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and Teddy.
A funeral will be held Friday, Feb. 16, at 9:30 a.m. at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg, with the Rev. Ron Thayer Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Montague Baptist Church cemetery with full military honors.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
In honor of Josh's dedication helping others, a memorial scholarship fund has been established. Donations may be made to the Sgt. Joshua Frazier Memorial Scholarship Fund at Peoples Community Bank of King George
Ellie
Date published: 2/14/2007
Joshua J. Frazier
Marine Corps Sgt. Joshua James Frazier, 24, of Spotsylvania County died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, while serving his nation in Iraq.
He was a loving son, grandson, a supportive brother, a friend to everyone he met, and a true Marine, but to all of us, he was Josh.
After graduating from Spotsylvania High School in 2000, Josh, like others his age, tried to decide what to do next. When the country fell under a terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, he felt compelled to join the Marines, where he found his calling.
After graduating from Boot Camp in February 2003, Josh was deployed to Okinawa, Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq. When he returned from Iraq in April 2005, he was determined to return because "the job was not finished." The thought of sending young men to Iraq with no combat experience broke his heart.
Josh believed that he could save lives by bringing his knowledge and experience to the fight. He lobbied for a second deployment, transferred battalions, and even extended his time in order to return to Iraq in September 2006. While in Iraq for his second deployment, even though he had the opportunity to return home, he volunteered for another extension because his men did not have that choice.
During his time in service, Josh was promoted quickly because of merit and not length of service. His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and four awards of the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Josh's eagerness to return to help his fellow Marines sums up his personality. He was compassionate, caring, and willing to put the safety and well-being of others above his own. Josh was always the first to help his family and friends in a time of need. Josh was a strong man in body, will, spirit and personality.
He had a firm handshake, a warm smile, a hearty laugh and a hug that gave the sense of protection. His only fear was that someone might get hurt when he had the ability to save them.
Josh will be remembered by the Marines he protected and his friends and family he loved.
Survivors include his mother, Shelia Cutshall of Spotsylvania County; his father, Rick Frazier and his wife, Jana, of Spotsylvania; two brothers, Aaron Mallin of Reston and Alex Brady of Spotsylvania; a sister, Stefanie Brady-Taylor of Washington, D.C.; his maternal grandmother, Elaine Rice of Spotsylvania; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and Teddy.
A funeral will be held Friday, Feb. 16, at 9:30 a.m. at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg, with the Rev. Ron Thayer Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Montague Baptist Church cemetery with full military honors.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
In honor of Josh's dedication helping others, a memorial scholarship fund has been established. Donations may be made to the Sgt. Joshua Frazier Memorial Scholarship Fund at Peoples Community Bank of King George
Ellie