Franklin Glenn Eckard was born June 30th, 1910 on the family farm near the small rural community of Icard, North Carolina. "Glenn" as he was known, was next to the youngest of 5 brothers and 6 sisters.

On July 13th, 1934 he married his high school sweetheart, Leonora Rudisill. When he was drafted into the Army in March 1944, he left three sons, the eldest 9, and a 2-year-old daughter. He was attached to Co. A, 84th Bn. 15th Regt. at Camp Fannin, Texas during the summer of 1944 for his basic training.

From there he traveled by train to Fort Mead, Maryland and shipped to England from the port of New York. He arrived in France 8 September 1944 and was attached to Co. A, 317th Infantry, 80th Division. Dad wrote that while on guard duty he stopped General George Patton's jeep, Gen. Patton took one look at him and said "Soldier, get rid of those whiskers". He was quickly relieved from guard duty and given a chance to clean up.

Dad was killed on 28 November 1944 by small arms fire during the withdrawal of the 317th from the village of Farebersviller, France. According to survivors, the 317th Reg. had taken the village but a large German attack forced them out with very heavy casualties.

Our mother never remarried and is now 90 years old. Dad's last words to her were "take care of the children". Mom did a tremendous job, she graduated college at the age of 52, all the children earned college degrees, one a Ph.D. We have never forgotten our Dad, although we were very young when he had to leave us.

Dad is burried at a small country church in the family plot near his home community of Icard, North Carolina.