Submitted by
Darlene Frederick
Special to the News Tribune
KHORAT, Thailand - David Frederick, of Keyser, was stationed in Nathon Ratchisima, also known as Khorat, in 1972 during the Vietnam War.
He spent a year there, met and married his first wife, Somporn, a Thai national. He learned much about the Thai culture, its customs and even the language. He had the help of both his wife and a Thai friend, Jake, who had a small store and restaurant.
David spent many hours eating and learning Thai with Jake.
In 1993, David and Darlene, his second wife, had the opportunity to visit Thailand. They went to Khorat, and after some searching, they were able to find Jake. He was still on the same street, but much had changed. The war was some 20 years in the past, streets were different, and many new buildings had been built.
Khorat was a city of millions and finding Jake was not a simple task. The Fredericks had a photo and David’s memory of what the street looked like during wartime, but after asking around they were finally able to find Jake. It was a reunion that was exciting for both. They reminisced while Jake’s wife prepared a celebratory meal. The couple feasted with Jake, his wife, his son, and grandson and daughter and were made to feel like family.
When David was there in 1972, Jake had a 3 year old son, Ponchai, who is now the father of a young son, nicknamed “Save,” who was, coincidentally, 3 years old in 1993. Photos were taken and the Fredericks returned home, but not to forget Jake and his family.
An article was placed in the Mineral Daily News-Tribune shortly after the 1993 trip and a copy of the newspaper was sent to Jake. The Fredericks never heard from Jake or his family but always felt a closeness to that Thai family.
Recently, the Fredericks returned once again to Thailand; this time for the wedding of a former AFS exchange student, Pun. While there, along with Pun and his new bride, Apple, the Fredericks' son Lee and his girlfriend, Margaret, the Frederick family traveled to Khorat in search of Jake.
The busy metropolis was now even larger, but with a little less searching the entourage of travelers found Jake’s restaurant.
This time was different.
The building looked somewhat the same but changed. It was no longer a restaurant or store front but a modest home. A young man and woman were there and David asked in Thai if he knew the man who used to run the restaurant, Jake.
The young man answered that he did and that Jake was his grandfather. This was the young 3- year old who had been there in 1993, now a youthful 19 years old. He said that his grandfather had just died only two weeks prior.
A sad moment for the Fredericks, who had traveled so far to visit with an old friend.
He told David, “I recognize you from the paper,” but the Fredericks thought he must have meant the photos that were taken in 1993.
The young man, “Save,” immediately called his dad and told him there were Americans there. In a matter of moments, his Dad, Ponchai, was there. Another reunion of friends.
After some handshakes, hugs and even a few tears, Ponchai went to the back room and came out with the very envelope containing the News-Tribune newspaper that had the 1993 article about the trip. The Fredericks were quite impressed and flattered that their Thai friends had saved the article for so many years.
After some more reminiscing in Thai, and with the help of Pun, Ponchai again went to the back room and came out with some old photo albums. Inside there was not only a photo of Lee in his military uniform, but one of David’s first wife, Somporn. The photo was taken in 1972 when she was pregnant with Lee. It was truly a special moment for the Fredericks.
Even though Jake was gone, his family was there to carry on a friendship through three generations.
Ponchai, Save, Pun’s family and the Fredericks enjoyed a brief lunch together. During the conversation over the meal, it was learned that all of the men, David, Lee, Pun, Ponchai and Save, are ironically all electricians.
A circle of families and friends had been made with hopes to continue correspondence. Addresses and emails were exchanged and vows made to keep in touch.
Keyser, W.Va. —
