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Memories & Candles
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“Thinking about my little brother.
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1 of 8 | Posted by: Beth
“I dated Mike in the fall of 1989. He was an amazing friend to me when I attended college and he always made me laugh. We used to listen to jimmy...
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2 of 8 | Posted by: Kathleen
“When we were just kids, Freddy used to visit us in our back boys cabin at Tanuga, sneaking in at night and causing a good scare. We looked up to...
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3 of 8 | Posted by: SFC Joshua P. Morton
“Been 15 years since we lost our Mike...but not a day goes by that I don't have something come up that makes me smile and think of Mike. Especially...
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4 of 8 | Posted by: Pat Kurth (mom)
“Thank you for putting this up sis. I cannot sum things up in a paragraph, but maybe.. someday.. my son Mike will be able to.
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5 of 8 | Posted by: Anonymous Laguna Niguel CA
“Mike was in my squad in Bravo Company 1-75 Ranger 1982-84. He was a solid and fair leader with a good sense of humor. I am very sorry to hear of...
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6 of 8 | Posted by: Chris Marks
“HAVING JUST LOST A DEAR FRIEND TO CANCER...THE LAST TIME I SAW PENNY SHE WAS HOLIND HER WIG ON AS WE DANCED....IM NOTR SURE WHAT BROUGHT ME TO...
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7 of 8 | Posted by: LINDA GRAY
“His whole life after high school is a memory to me. I was proud to call him my brother. He made me laugh a lot. He was as dedicated to the army as...
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8 of 8 | Posted by: Lori Fredericks
Sargeant First Class Michael Gordon Fredericks was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan the fourth child of John and Pat (Kurth) Fredericks. His older siblings Beth, Lori and John were very excited to finally have teams - two boys and two girls! Later, in 1967, the boys won out when brother Steve was born and the boys outnumbered the girls.
In his autobiography, written as part of his LA Sheriff training application in 1990, Mike wrote, "I was in my elementary school library when I was about ten years old and I came across a tall, thin, hardcover picture book titled, 'The Green Berets' by C.B. Colby. I honestly believe it was at that young point in my life that I made the decision on what was to become my future career choice."
In 1974, Mike discovered Camp Tanuga in Kalkaska, Michigan. He was a camper, and later became a staff member and volunteer for life. His friends at Camp Tanuga honored him by carving a totem pole in his honor in 1995.
Michael enlisted in the United States Army right out of high school in September of 1977. Over the next 16 years he served with the 20th Engineer Brigade, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 5th Special Forces Group. At every level of training, Mike was called out as "#1 basic trainee", "recruit of the cycle", or "distinguished honor graduate."
He wrote a letter home just prior to leaving for Zaire, Africa in 1989 that if anything happened to him to take his ashes to Camp Tanuga...have a huge bonfire...sit around and tell stories about the fun and wild things we did...and let him stay at camp forever.
Michael G. Fredericks went missing from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina on Saturday March 27, 1993. He went to Camp Mackall for his regular weekend rucksack run. He parked his car, put his keys and wallet in his desk, strapped on a 50-pound pack and took off into the woods. He never came out. At least no one ever saw him again until he was found two weeks later. Michael had been shot at close range, murdered and left in the river. His murder remains unsolved.
Michael's life was celebrated at Camp Tanuga and his spirit, "the eagle", will be there forever. Mike was a simple, fun guy. He was crazy about his cars, his music, his blue jeans and t-shirts that looked so great across his well-trained, buff bod. He loved the solitude of the woods and at the same time, he loved that he had devoted his life to protecting his country.
Mike also loved to sing along with one of his favorite musicians, Jimmy Buffet. When our family gets together, at some point in the party, someone pumps up the volume and we all start singing loud and proud for Mike - -
"Cheeseburger is paradise
Heaven on earth with an onion slice
Not too particular not too precise
I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise"
Next time you hear that song, maybe you'll sing along and remember him too.
Thinking about my little brother.
Posted by: Beth March 02, 2009
I dated Mike in the fall of 1989. He was an amazing friend to me when I attended college and he always made me laugh. We used to listen to jimmy buffet in his car and my funniest memory is him buying me these 2 huge gallons of shampoo at the px. I still dont know why he bought them but he always liked to do nice things for me. I was so sad to find out he died when I saw flyers up in fayetteville when I went back there for a wedding.. He was a happy memory for me> He used to talk about the camp alot and he was just all and all fun to be around
Posted by: Kathleen June 01, 2008
When we were just kids, Freddy used to visit us in our back boys cabin at Tanuga, sneaking in at night and causing a good scare. We looked up to him not just as a soldier, but as a friend and warrior. We had been engrained with the beliefs of spirit in each other and the woods and animals, and Freddy shared that spirit of something greater in Tanuga. Putting on face paint and feathers, making a grand entrance to bonfires, and entrancing children at sunset on the lake was so rewarding to Freddy, he said he enjoyed it more than being a soldier. I looked up to him also, and his spirit rubbed off on me. He would talk about his life in the military, and offered words of advice about the joys of being a warrior. Im sure Im not the only one who took to heart what he said by words and deeds. He walked with us one day to the town of Fredrick some 25 miles away as we were road marching with backpacks. He told me that he thought I should join the Army, as I would find what I was looking for in life like he had. I eventually got around to joining the Army, but not until after he was already gone. My only regret is that I had not joined sooner to have been able to serve along side him. We all looked up to him, as I am sure his comrades in the Army did as well. 15 years later, I still meet soldiers in the Army who served along side Freddy, and their memories of him are just as fond as those of ours from Tanuga. I am certain his spirit is still looking down on all that he loved, smiling and laughing at the children in Tanuga and his fellow warriors still walking on this earth. He will never be forgotten.
Posted by: SFC Joshua P. Morton May 27, 2008
Been 15 years since we lost our Mike...but not a day goes by that I don't have something come up that makes me smile and think of Mike. Especially living near the beach in Carlsbad, CA.
Mike would visit us and love to "take a beach run" then come home for a tuna sandwich on the porch with us. He was the kind of guy that loved life and was a friend forever.
Posted by: Pat Kurth (mom) May 27, 2008
Thank you for putting this up sis. I cannot sum things up in a paragraph, but maybe.. someday.. my son Mike will be able to.
Posted by: Anonymous Laguna Niguel, CA July 09, 2008
Mike was in my squad in Bravo Company 1-75 Ranger 1982-84. He was a solid and fair leader with a good sense of humor. I am very sorry to hear of his loss. Chris Marks Gales Ferry CT
Posted by: Chris Marks May 27, 2008
HAVING JUST LOST A DEAR FRIEND TO CANCER...THE LAST TIME I SAW PENNY SHE WAS HOLIND HER WIG ON AS WE DANCED....IM NOTR SURE WHAT BROUGHT ME TO THIS SITE......BUT HOW WONDERFUL TO READ ALL YOUR MEEMORIES OF YOUR LOVED ONE BE IT YOUE MOM OR A FRIEND WHO CAN REMEBER WHEN TEWIR BUDDY WAS YOUNG...TO BE ABLE TO SAY I LOVED MY BROTHER AND MISS HIM.........WHAT A GREAT TRIBUTE...............LINDA
Posted by: LINDA GRAY May 27, 2008
His whole life after high school is a memory to me. I was proud to call him my brother. He made me laugh a lot. He was as dedicated to the army as he was dedicated to fun and I miss his humor all the time. He was an awesome guy.
Posted by: Lori Fredericks May 27, 2008
