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Several people offer to replace cannonball stolen from fallen Marine's grave Date published: 7/2/2009
The space where a cannonball once sat on Marine Sgt. Joshua Frazier's headstone won't be vacant for long.
After learning about the theft of the cannonball from the King George gravesite in yesterday's Free Lance-Star, at least four people offered to replace it. Rick Frazier accepted a replacement cannonball on behalf of his son last night from Fredericksburg policeman and retired Marine Ron Swaney at bike night at Big Daddy Leather on Caroline Street. "I just thought the family shouldn't have to worry about it one iota," Swaney said. "This is about their son. It's not about the thieves or the vandals. It's not about that. It's about getting a cannonball back out there on that headstone where it means something." Josh had asked that if anything happened to him, a cannonball be included as part of his memorial. His family had his headstone specially designed with a divot in the base, where a 12-pound solid-shot cannonball could sit. Frazier coated the cannonball with polyurethane and used epoxy to affix it to the stone. Frazier went to the cemetery at Montague Baptist Church early Sunday, on what would have been Josh's 27th birthday, to find the cannonball gone. Last night, Frazier thanked Swaney and the others who have supported his family and that of other fallen warriors in the area. "I'm grateful," he said. "My son would be grateful." Swaney got his cannonball from a friend, John Cox, who dug it in March 2002 from a Confederate gun emplacement at Raccoon Ford in Orange County. "I figured the first one was locally dug, and so was mine, so I thought it was a good replacement," Swaney said. Others also offered replacements. Craig Bourne, who owns Comfort Heating and Cooling in Fredericksburg, called Steve Robinson first thing yesterday morning. Robinson is a friend to Bourne and Frazier. "Steve's always helped me and I just said, 'This is something I gotta do for his friend,'" Bourne said. "I've been relic hunting with my grandfather since I was 6, so it's something real close to my heart." Bourne said he never sells his finds. "I give away some, and I couldn't think of a better reason to give one away than this," he said.
Way to come together and overcome the stupid act of the punks that desecrated the grave.
Im so sorry this happened to the Frazier family. But it is not uncommon. My grandmother is bured at Fairview in Culpeper. I took flowers at 2pm, went back at 4pm and they were gone--stolen from her grave in under 2 hours. The cost of the flowers was significant but nothing compared to the emotional upset it caused me knowning someone would do such a thing.
It is truly pathetic that some punks (and that's what they are) had nothing better to do than to desecrate a hero's grave! But, what an amazing testiment to how close this community is that all of these people offered to replace the cannonball! I got chills reading this article. I'm so glad the Frazier family got this token of gratitude from the community!
by grateful citizens. Sad that the episode happened but happy to see the overwhelming outpouring of support for the Frazier family and the honoring of Sgt. Frazier's service and sacrifice. It is going to be a good 4th of July!
Having served in the military myself (6 yrs Army), I fully appreciate the sacrifice Joshua has made. It was sad that somebody has to resort to swiping that cannonball. Awesome that at least four people stepped up to offer replacements. If I had one, I'd offered it myself. I agree with a posting I saw on yesterday's story in that Mr. Frazier ought to consider engraving his son's name on the replacement as well as find a way to bolt it down instead of mere epoxy. That would make it less desirable to thvs
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