One photo - comprised of many different photos form many different eras. That is where it all started. It was a conglomeration of old military service photos, created with the greatest care and skill. When Osage resident Bob Frein first saw the completed composite, a feeling of patriotism and prise swept over him.

From World War I to World War II to Korea and Vietnam, there they were, his father, his brothers and uncles, all in their various military uniforms, staring back at him from generations ago. Each one of them, like Bob were born and raised in Mitchell County.

In the center was his own father, the late Joseph Frein of Stacyville, who served in the first world war. Surrounding him were several brothers, one of whom was killed in action during World War II.

"I wasn't born until 1940, so I didn't even know him," said Bob, as he looked at the photo and pointed to his older brother Jerome Frein who served with the US Army, Tech 5, 504th Parachute Infantry, 82nd Airborne Div., during World War II. He was the first Mitchell county paratrooper to lose his life in the service of his country. "When I saw all these faces put together on one photo, it made me proud of my family."

The photo was created by Kim Meyering, granddaughter of Wilmer Frein, as well as Bob Frein's niece, Susan Whitehurst of Garner, who has also been working on the Frein family history for about the past 25 years. As well as collecting information, she painstakingly collected the old service photos from various relatives of the soldiers.

"She first showed us the photo at the Frein Family reunion. I got a copy from her and had it framed," said Frein, who was born and raised in Osage, graduating from high school here in 1959. "I remember back then, I didn't really think about how many members of my family served in the military during war time. It wasn't until later that I realized what had taken place and how important their service was."

Along with that amazing photo is a historical narrative, which goes all the way back 90 years to the community of Stacyville. The following are excerpts from that history. It was provided to the Press-News by Whitehurst.

In 1918, the Stacyville Monitor read - "Stacyville did her part in contributing young men to the war. The exemption board says it had the least trouble with registrants from Stacyville than in any part of the county. No one has demurred at being asked to do his duty. There's a....

Continued on page 6A

[The rest of the article, taken from Dean Mick Frein's Facebook page, is missing. Published in Mitchell County Press-News, publication date unknown]

Transcribed by K.L. Kittleson, 5/1/2014