Laughter erupted when friends began meeting and greeting at Patty’s Restaurant in Smithville. The Frazier twins celebrated their birthday on March 13 with over 50 people in attendance, including a crew from Channel 4 News to film the event for a special night segment on television.
The crew promptly arrived, set up cameras and proceeded by telling everyone to act natural and continue celebrating. The guys were already pumped for what would be their 92nd year on this earth. Edward and Edsel Frazier have survived hard times, World War II, the Great Depression, additional wars, floods, election, illnesses, death, and much more, but still have smiles on their facs and say, “It’s great to be alive; it’s great to be an American.”
The twins, inducted at 18 years of age, earned several medals during World War II including two battle stars, one Eastern Rhine, one European Theatre medal, along with other awards. During the war, Edsel was hospitalized while Edward’s troop moved, separating them for a short time. The men were discharged in Fort Logan, Colo., in Denver at the end of the war.
If you see the guys out and about in town, you may ask them how old they are now and they will quickly say, “We will soon be 93.”
What’s not to love about their positive attitudes and joy of living? Edward and Edsel are so happy to have their families and friends and are richly blessed indeed. They are loved and they know it.
The guys received a commendation letter from Washington, D.C. signed by Rep. Jim Cooper and are to be honored by the Tennessee State Legislature presented by Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver at the Smithville Town Hall meeting.
The letter from Cooper stated, “It gives me great pleasure to extend my greetings and congratulations to you on the occasion of your 92nd birthday. Reaching 92 years is a tremendous milestone and I am certain that you have touched and enriched countless lives along the way.
You have seen this country change and have helped to prepare the next generation for the 21st Century. I commend you on your long life, your good work, and for sharing your wisdom with generations that followed your own. Your family is privileged to have you in their lives, and we are all very proud of you.
As you celebrate with family and friends, know that I join with citizens from throughout the Fifth Congressional District of Tennessee in saluting you and wishing you a very happy birthday.”
Out of town guests included at the celebration included Denise Hackett, Carthage; Brenda and Jerry Parker, Murfreesboro; Ty Tittsworth, Morrison; Steph Luke and Bryan Malone, Atlanta, Ga.; Allison Pryor Smith, Dave Roland, Cookeville; Becky Knowles and Sherry Knowles, Knoxville.
