The soldier is the Army. No army is better than
its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation
and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.
George
S. Patton Jr.
Frank Ewing Cheatham, my great uncle, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 27, 1931. During
World War II, he was one of many African Americans that enlisted in the army.
Uncle Frank could have enlisted as a way of escape from the racial tensions
that were rising in St. Louis. Instead of
staying home and enduring the hatred and discrimination of the times, my great
uncle decided to go serve his country at a time of war, both here at home and
abroad. Not only did he just serve in WWII, but he made the military his
career. He served until his death in 1979. Although, Great
Uncle Frank was a military man, taking care of his country, he also took time
out for his family. Following are some cherished memories from his nieces
Cathleen Allen Johnson and Lynn McFarland Kenney:
Uncle Frank and his family were stationed in Monteray, California. My mom
and her sisters took me and my brother and cousins on an adventurous train ride
from St. Louis to California. It was three days of wonder and jaw dropping
experiences. We all had a ball on the train. This was in the late 1950s. As
children we knew nothing of segregation, Jim Crow, or racism. We were on a
train heading to beautiful California to see our uncle. We had to ride a ferry,
after the train ride. Another new adventure. We were so excited to see our
cousins Andrea, Princess, and baby Kirk. Aunt Verna made huge banana-nut cakes
and cleaned her sand-filled backyard, not dirt-sand. We went to the beach and
the rodeo. With cowboy hats to prove it. We had so much fun. I couldn’t believe
that every day was sunny and humid free. My hair did not “go back” the whole
time!!! I I just remember the big smile on Uncle Frank’s face. While he was
stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, we visited he and his family there,
while we visited Famma’s sister’s farm in Hopkinsville. Famma was what I called
my grandmother, Princess. Fun, fun, fun
on the farm. Cathleen Allen Johnson (niece).
My fondest memory of Uncle Frank was when he would come to St. Louis. He
always drove his Cadillac and we knew we were going to have fun. He called us
“Pep”. When I lived with him every Saturday in the summers were lawn day. That
is why today I know how to take care of my lawn. Lynn McFarland Kenney ( niece)
Uncle Frank wearing his Pierre Cardin. The reason I love a nice watch/bracelet on a man, who can make me laugh. He was the joker. Last time I ever visited the reptile house at the zoo. He drove me crazy. He helped me look for Tammy,stole my egg, had me searching too, was there for my first date, had to meet the young man, oh Lord. Road trips to Sea/Tac were awesome Love & miss him forever.
ReplyDeleteLoved Uncle Frank so much! He took me to my first night club while visiting he & his family in Seattle in the 70's. We were dancing fools. He was so much fun. Unfortunately he died three weeks before he was to give me away at my wedding! So many many memories. He is missed!
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