It is hard to believe that it was only a year and a week since the Gold Star Memorial Trail was dedicated by Col. Douglas Fleischfresser. Chaplain Flash, as he was known by people who knew him, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident the following month on July 13, 2019. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on January 14, 2020.
I had known the Col. for several years leading up to the dedication of the trail. Among his many duties as then State Command Chaplain for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, he went to Legion Camp in Lake Tomahawk each year to work with the state’s Gold Star families. This is where I really got to know him. I published his extensive credentials and experience in last year’s Memorial Day edition including information about his three deployments as a chaplain into the war zones in the middle east. He was the real deal. He knew firsthand about the deaths of many of our Wisconsin military heroes. He was with many of them at the end of their lives in combat zones. He ministered to surviving battle buddies in combat and conducted funeral/send-offs in theatre. Back at home, the Col. gave inspirations of hope of the Gospel message to survivors in the military as well as Gold Star families. He personally knew many of the hero’s and their families for which the Gold Star Memorial Trail was built to remember. Outside of the Army, he pastored several Lutheran churches and most recently served as a psychotherapist serving with Lutheran Counseling and Family Services in Oshkosh.
He was beloved by many including me. It was so fitting that he gave the grand opening and dedication speech and prayer for the opening of phase one of the Gold Star Memorial Trail last June 1 at the trailhead in Theiler Park, Mayville. After his speech, Col. Flash walked on the trail with Gold Star families including Laura and I, along with many members from the community, to the Horicon March Education & Visitors Center. Part of his speech and the events of that special day are included in the county’s promotional video that can be viewed at goldstarmemorialtrailwi.org. I strongly encourage everyone to review it. It is inspiring!
There are no words that I can think of that would adequately express my deepest appreciation and love for Col. Flash. Bonds between those who serve in the military and gold star families are difficult to describe other than they can be like family bonds. It was a great honor for me to have known him and am so glad he could come to Dodge County to dedicate the Gold Star Memorial Trail. He dedicated his life to serving others. May Col. Doug Flash forever rest in peace with his Savior. The United States, Wisconsin, and Dodge County are better because he lived.
By Andrew Johnson
GSMT Committee, Gold Star dad
Col. Flash gave the dedication speech and prayer for the grand opening of phase one for the Gold Star Memorial Trail on June 1, 2019 at Theiler Park in Mayville. (photo above by Andrew Johnson)
A U.S. Army Caisson team transports the remains of U.S. Army Colonel Douglas Fleischfresser during an honors burial service at Arlington National Cemetery on January 14. Fleischfresser’s long military service included being appointed as State Command Chaplain for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, three deployments in war zones, and was locally known for dedicating the Gold Star Memorial Trail last year. He was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident on July 13, 2019. (Key photo courtesy of Gary Rast).
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