We will be honoring Frank Thrasher a 99 year old WWII Montfort Point Marine on Saturday, March 20th at 12:00pm with a car parade. We have asked friends and neighbors to drive by his home, honk your horn, give him a balloon and help us celebrate. 4548 S Lawler. Chicago.
Tribute to Garfield Ridge:Leclaire/Hearst Resident, Frank Nelson Thrasher, Sr.
Frank Nelson Thrasher, Sr., affectionately known as “Poppo” to family and friends, joined the Montfort Point United States Marine Corp in 1943.The Montford Point Maries were the first Black Americans to enlist in the racially segregated military and the U.S. Marine Corp after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order in June, 1941. The order established a segregated training camp exclusively for Black Marines at Montfort Point during WWII.
In Boot Camp, he was assigned to Platoon 227 at Montford Point, North Carolina. After completing Boot Camp, he was assigned to the 52nd Defense Battalion as a Private First Class, with the Military Special Weapons and Land Tank Ordnance Company. In 1945 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and was subsequently promoted to Sergeant. During his military career, Frank traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad including the Hawaiian Islands, as well as to Sasebo, Japan. He became a Marine Corp reservist after WWII and served stateside on active and reserve duty during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was officially discharged in 1965.
In 2012, along with his fellow Montford Point Marines, he was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal Award. This award is given for: “Outstanding perseverance and courage that inspired social change in the Marine Corp and in recognition of your personal sacrifice and service to our country during World War II”. It was presented by President Barack Obama.
In civilian life, Mr. Thrasher worked for Swift Inc., the Cook County Hospital and retired from the Chicago Water Department after 23 years of service.
A lover of Jazz, he spends his time listening to his favorite big band orchestras, solo artists and singers.
He has been a resident in the Leclaire/Hearst community for over 50 years. The Hearst Community Organization and the Montford Point Marine Association, Chicago Chapter 2, is helping him celebrate in 99th Birthday. We are proud to give recognition, tribute and honor to our friend, neighbor and patriot throughout this year, 2021. We Salute You!
We will be giving Mr. Thrasher a Plaque, He is 99 years old! Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 12:00 Noon, at his home: 4548 S. Lawler. We’d like for residents, neighbors friends and family to drive past his home. Give him a shout-out, honk your car horns and/or bring him a balloon! Help us celebrate. Due to the weather and Covid Virus, we were delayed in celebrating on his official birthday.
The Plaque Reads:
Award of Honor
Presented to
Frank Thrasher
WWII Veteran, US Marine Corp
Original Montford Point Marine
Community Resident for 50 Years
Presented by the
Hearst Community Organization
January 22, 2021
Joann Williams, Margo Wright,
President Secretary
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