'Selfless service'

Scot Frazer doesn't have to look far to remember the loss of his fellow soldiers in Afghanistan.

He has a tattoo under his biceps resembling the Major League Baseball logo except it's with a ready soldier with an M4 rifle instead of a baseball player.

"It's my private memorial to brothers in arms," he said. "It is a tribute to being one of the good guys. (The deaths) beat me up pretty hard."

Frazer specialized in close quarters combat during his service, so the MLB-like reference was an inside joke amongst his team of "door kickers."

"Bad guys don't like fair fights, so we took pride in being the best at conducting surgical extractions," he said.

In 15 months in Afghanistan, Frazer said he lost four of his fellow American soldiers and 14 Afghan soldiers. He suffers from hearing loss as a result of his deployment and caught shrapnel in his leg.

"Little things happened over there, but I don't have a Purple Heart," he said.

Frazer, vice president of sales and marketing for the Swiss Tech parts manufacturer in Post Falls, joined the Army in 1999 and later served for in Afghanistan where he trained Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers.

"I started with plans of being an airborne ranger, but 9/11 happened and my focus shifted entirely to getting over there and doing my part," he said. "It would have been hard watching my friends go while I stayed behind. I was there to teach the Afghans how to take care of their troops so we didn't have to be there anymore. I'm a doer, not a talker."

Frazer did not serve in a combat role in Iraq, but also served in Kuwait to train Iraqi soldiers.

"It became evident I needed to get stateside after processing what I had been through in Operation Enduring Freedom, so the command let me transfer," he said.

These days Frazer, who also served with the Army Reserves unit in Hayden from 2007 to 2011, serves fellow veterans by assisting with multiple area nonprofits.

He serves as a mentor for the Spokane Veterans Forum, which includes assisting vets from North Idaho. It's a two-year program that helps struggling vets get back on track.

"These guys who've come back have seen some horrific stuff," Frazer said.

Frazer has organized banner displays of fallen heroes at community events throughout the region.

"I got involved because I constantly wonder why I got to come home," he said. "That's why I've done as much as possible with the time I've been given. Why stay home all weekend watching 'I Love Lucy' re-runs and why not serve coffee to homeless veterans?"

Frazer also serves as a veterans representative on the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce board, with Combat Vet Riders and assisted with an illuminating veterans memorial at the Spokane Arena.

He has a knack for connecting veterans with nonprofits and other community organizations.

"He has endless energy," said Theresa Hart, founder of the Newby-ginnings nonprofit in Post Falls that serves vets in need and is named after her son Nick Newby, who died while serving in Iraq.

"When he puts his mind to something, he gives it 110 percent," she said. "He's always promoting veterans organizations and he never forgets Newby-ginnings. He is a voice for veterans organizations and it's a loud one.

"This guy has a full-time job, but he still makes time for other people and organizations."

The humble Frazer sums up his role as "glorified coffee dude."

His energy was also reflected in the Bronze Star Medal he received as a staff sergeant in 2006 for meritorious service while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a maintenance non-commissioned officer and embedded tactical trainer during the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

"Staff sergeant Frazer's dedication, tireless work ethic and commitment to excellence were essential to building a professional Afghan National Army," the award states. "His performance of duty in a combat zone reflects great credit. … He demonstrated diverse technical and tactical skills as he served the brigade in several capacities."

Frazer's team was hit with an unsuspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in four ANA deaths and four civilian casualties.

"He counseled the surviving ANA team members and inspired them to use the incident as a motivator to work harder in ANA and country progression," the award states. "Frazer's impeccable character, dedication and selfless service will have a lasting impact on the ANA for many years to come."

With his community service, Frazer said he tries to be an example of how veterans can adapt to civilian life and continue to serve.

"If you get used to cleaning a bathroom for 20 of your best friends, you can feel lost and separated when you get back," he said.

Frazer said he tries to lead by example and show fellow vets that they can be whatever they want to be.

"Why not take our skills and show civilians how it's done?" he said. "I'm just trying to make the most of the time I've been granted. So many men better than myself didn't make it home."