Memorial Day....Bataan March to the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) had the honor to interview Col. Glen D. Frazier, of the few survivors left of the Bataan Death March in WWII.

(from the description about his book "Hell's Guest" on Amazon:

“It was the 1930s in southern Alabama where cotton and cornfields were the backdrop of my childhood stage. I was growing up just like everyone else—wrapped in a simple and predictable way of life. Folks were the same, weather was the same, the calendar was the same. It was such an uncomplicated time that I could never have imagined that in just a few short years the entire world would be engulfed in war and that I would be caught in the middle of it. Where I lived in Lowndes County, events in Europe and Asia, as menacing as they were, seemed light-years away. I would soon discover that they were not so far away after all.”So begins this powerful memoir about a teenage boy who, during the summer of 1941 after his high school graduation, realizes he’s in love with a 16-year-old beautiful brunette he has known since first grade. In the heat of a grief-stricken and passion-filled moment, however, he makes an impulsive decision that will change his life in a dark and cruel way. Running away from home, he falsifies his age and hurriedly joins the Army, telling none of his family or friends. Within a month, he is halfway around the world, stationed in the Philippines, propelled into manhood, and all too soon engaged in horrific combat against the Japanese. After months of fierce fighting, Frazier’s heart is broken and his mind is numb as he watches while Old Glory is lowered and replaced by the Japanese flag of the Rising Sun. Overnight everything changes and his freedom, along with the freedom of thousands of others, instantly disappears. During the next seven nights and six days, and for 90 miles, he is subjected to the unspeakable and inhumane horrors of the infamous Bataan Death March. But that is just the beginning. Frazier becomes a shell of a man as he suffers three and a half years of brutal and unmerciful treatment as a prisoner of war in the Philippines and later in Japan. In Hell’s Guest, Colonel Frazier shares his dreadful experiences most poignantly, including the endless agony of torture, slave labor, solitary confinement, starvation, lack of adequate clothing against the elements of the weather, and all types of other abuse. At the same time, his hatred for the Japanese grows into an all-consuming force, and someday, if he survives, he is determined to get even. This captivating story doesn’t end with the surrender of the Japanese army. Frazier will eventually return home yet still remain a prisoner of his own bitterness and anger—enemies that will continue to inflict wounds that no doctors can heal.This compelling story cannot be put down until the last chapter is read and true freedom and peace are regained. “Colonel Frazier’s story of survival makes him a hero—his story of forgiveness makes him a legend!” (Timothy Frost, retired Staff Sergeant, United States Army)

Glen passed away in 2018

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Erin Brown, Director of the South Dakota Veteran's Cemetery north of Sioux Falls.

from their website:

Veterans Cemetery
The South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery is the first federally funded, state-owned and operated veteran’s cemetery in South Dakota. Its official dedication date was Memorial Day 2021. The first veterans were laid to rest on June 4, 2021.

What is Provided
* Gravesite or Columbarium Niche
* Pre-placed Grave Liner (Standard Size)
* Headstone/Niche Cover
* Perpetual Care

Cost
Veteran
$0 (all burial options)

Spouse
$948 (all burial options)

*Fees for spouse/eligible dependents cannot be prepaid and are subject to change.

Burial Arrangements
The funeral director or the next of kin makes burial arrangements for an eligible Veteran, spouse or dependent at the time of need by contacting the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery. A spouse or dependent is buried based upon the eligibility of the Veteran. To establish the Veteran's eligibility, a copy of the Veteran's military discharge document or a DD214 must be provided. If these documents are not available, the cemetery must be provided with sufficient military information to allow the cemetery to access federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and/or military records to establish eligibility. The cemetery staff will set a tentative date for the committal service pending verification of service and character of discharge, and will notify the applicant when the committal service is scheduled. The proposed date and time will be approved only when the cemetery verifies eligibility and confirms the arrangements.

Floral Policies
Fresh cut flow