Letter from Private Eric Frazier
Stationed in Pensacola, FL

My name is Eric Frazier. I am a 19-year-old soldier from New Jersey who fell in love with skating the minute I caught the rhythm and rode the wall.

This letter is just to thank everyone at the SkateGroove.com. Ever since my extenuating circumstances occurred, I’ve been only able to view your Website as my only alternative for my wanting to “roll”, but can’t.

Let me explain how it all happened . . . My senior year in high school I needed money for the prom which was coming up soon. I then noticed that a neighborhood skating rink was hiring. I got the job instantly and at that point my life changed forever. While employed as a floor guard, I started skating but I would never skate like I knew what I was doing. (I would just put on rental skates and patrol the floor). I was somewhat supervised by a DJ who could skate like second nature as if he was born on a pair of Bones Elite wheels. He would show me stuff and sculpted me into the skater I am today.

All it took was one adult night session to notice the magic that captivated me. From that moment, I saw the happiness of people of all colors, shapes and sizes take hold of one floor, under one roof. I then understood my purpose and mission. There was nothing g like putting music and wheels on a floor and seeing people enjoying themselves. I progressed so quickly being surrounded by veteran talent.

Then I was skating 4 to 5 times a week disregarding school nights as well as other important matters. I started recruiting my own crew which I’ve been rolling with since (so close it feels like family). A year has passed and I’m finished with school. I was faced with my future. So with no choice, I had to get money for college, so I joined the Army in “03 of August. I’ve been away from the floor for so long, the magic, the energy, the rush and everything that comes with it. I miss it like crazy. Now I write my skating family, get pictures and hop on SkateGroove.com every time I get a chance. After I graduated from Basic Training in April, I got a chance to skate after nine weeks and had not lost a touch. Now I wait the day I get back to my second home . . . Franklinville, Elsmere, Millennium and last but not least, Holiday.

Overall, my point is this. I love skating; I mean, I’m so influenced by the culture that I plan on opening one of the premier rinks on the East Coast one day. To get on that floor and roll is to come up out of water for air. So I would like to thank everybody, especially SkateGroove.com for the Website and all its information. You’re a stepping stone in my life.

Joining the Armed Forces at such a dangerous time as the world is under attack, I just kept sight of what I want in life . . to skate the night away at my own rink.

Sincerely,
Private Eric Frazier

 

Maurice Windom aka "Moe"
Southern California
Originally from Flint, Michigan

Soldier Sentiments

11 Jan 2005

Thanks Ms Desi for the pics [Groove Cliques]. I'm deployed now so just keep them comin' and keep me on this mailing list till I die. Love those brathaz and sistaz rollin at the Flint, MI Ice breaker. I will make them once I get back stateside. Keep the prayers up for us rollerz over here and we will Rep Colorado soon at one of the functions.

Peace and Love to all. God bless.

Mark D. Johnson, SSG
Fort Carson, CO
US Army

15 Jan 2005

A very special shout out to Alicia Reece...girl I have been trying to get in contact with you for the longest. Get at me soon, miss you much. To all the rollers in the Nasti Natti, Uncle Norman, John "5KLUB" Ross, Showtime, Reece. Even though I am deep in this land of death and destruction...rolling is still on my mind and in my heart. I'm out singing "roller skaters one in front and one in back, bounce left, bounce right, its disco time".

People sleep peacefully at night because brave men and women stand ready to
do violence on their behalf.

Brandon Zackery
Mosul, Iraq
Golden Skates Cincinnati
(gone but not forgotten)

Feb 2, 2005

Hey Ms. Desi,

I’m in FT Campbell Kentucky, well actually the borderline of Tennessee and Kentucky. I'm still skating and I've actually gotten a chance to go home and roll with family and friends. I've been reading the site front to back and to let you know, you have been doing a wonderful job. In fact the entire staff has been doing a great job.

The Army has been treating me okay I guess. (As long as I'm skating) I've still got plans to open up one of the hottest premiere rinks on the east coast and bring Roller skating back to what it used to be in its hay day. I also have been showing Tyrone Dixon's film that you sent me in the mail back in July/August. And introducing one of my loves to them as an art form and there almost enjoying it as much as I do.

Take care hope to see you at a skate jam.

Sincerely yours,
Pv2 Eric Frazier
Camden N.J.

Represent

Name: Private Eric Frazier

City & State: Stationed in Pensacola, FL, native to NJ

Favorite Rink: Where else? The legendary rink, Franklinville aka Da’ Ville

Favorite Songs for Skating:
· Double Dutch Bus
· Pump it Up – (the original version)
· I’m Bad – Chubb Rock
· Who Knows – Music Soul Child
· If I were a Bell - Tina Marie
Favorite Skate Term: “True Skaters Ride the Wall”

Skating isn’t just a sport, it’s a whole culture, a way of life for some. Skating has become a lifestyle, a dream that some never wake up from where some leave their heart and soul on that floor every night. I let the music talk to me therefore that gives me a chance to lace up my heart and soul.

Shout out to everybody getting their East to West Coast Roll on!!