Military Records: Lt. Everett Sleeter Fick, 1918, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: 5th Judicial District Court Minute Book D, Page 188-189, Office of the Clerk of Court, Winn Parish, LA. In Memory of Lieutenant Everett Sleeter Fick Lieutenant Everett Sleeter Fick was born at St. Joseph, Missouri, October 8th, 1893, moved to Winnfield, Louisiana, in August, 1908, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Fick, attended the Winnfield High School and graduated in 1911. He studied law in the office of Grisham & Oglesby after his graduation at the High School, until September, 1913. While thus engaged he took up the study of shorthand and typewriting and without any instructor, except a few private lessons in shorthand, in an incredibly short time mastered these difficult subjects, becoming an expert in both. In September, 1913, he entered the law department of Tulane University, taking a front rank both as a student and athlete. He played Center on the Varsity Foot Ball team for three seasons and was idolized by the Coach, his teammates and the students of the University. He was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Fraternity, and at one time was sent as a delegate to represent his Fraternity in National Conference at Washington, D. C. He was one of the members chosen by the Faculty as honor man of his fraternity. He took a deep interest in the Young Men's Christian Association at the University and was chosen as its president. Soon after his graduation in 1916, he opened a law office in Winnfield, becoming a valued member of the local Bar, and entering upon what looked to be a brilliant career in his chosen profession. Within a short time after he had established himself and purchased a law library, the storm clouds of the awful European war burst over the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" and instantly our Country was hurled into that terrible cataclysm on the side of the justice and freedom of not only our beloved Country, but of the entire world. As our Country entered the World War unselfishly, for the sake of humanity and liberty so our young hero, without any thought of his own safety or convenience, and listening only to the call of his country and the cries of the murdered innocent women and children of Belgium, France and on the High Seas, without a moments hesitation, except to try to find where he could be of the most service, he closed his office and bade farewell to home and loved ones and entered the First Officers' Training School at Fort Logan H. Roots. After three months of the most intensive training, the like of which had never been seen in this or any other country, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Infantry and was sent to Camp MacArthur to drill troops. While stationed there he married Miss Helen Newman of Shreveport. He was attached to the now famous 32nd Division composed principally of Michigan and Wisconsin troops, commanded largely by Southern officers, and sailed for France in the spring of 1918, landing just as the Germans were making their great drive for Parish, which looked as if they were going to be successful and thereby win the war before the United States could get there. The 32nd Division took its place in the front line trenches long side the Regular Army, the Marines, the Rainbow, and other Divisions which had proceeded it, and delivered the staggering blow at Chateau Thiery which turned the Huns from Parish back toward Berlin. On the morning of August 1st, 1819, as Lieutenant Fick (having in the meantime been promoted to First Lieutenant) was gallantly leading his troops storming the retreating enemy, he fell mortally wounded, dying shortly afterwards. Such is a brief sketch of the short but useful life of our deceased brother who has laid his life upon the altar of his Country and taken his place among the fallen heroes of the World. He has made the supreme sacrifice, and for what? For himself? Nay, verily. He died for the freedom of the World. HIs body lies buried in the sacred soil of France, the battle ground of freedom and democracy, and we hope, and verily believe that his soul is basking in the sunlight of God's Eternal Presence. And why should we not indulge this fond hope? No purer, cleaner or more unselfish young man has ever lived in our midst than Everett Fick. He spent his life serving others. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. His sunny disposition, his affable manners and his unselfish and spotless character drew his friends and acquaintances to him, who knew naught but to honor, love, and respect him. His death cast a gloom over Winnfield, the like of which has never been seen. At a memorial service held in his honor by the High School, the whole citizenship left their homes and places of business to mingle their tears and sympathies with those of his heart broken father and mother. Therefore, be it resolved by the Bar Association of Winnfield and of the Fifth District Court, that in the death of our fellow member, Everett Sleeter Fick, our Association has lost a valued and useful member and we deeply deplore his untimely taking away. Be it further resolved that a copy of this Memorial be placed upon the minutes of the Court; that a copy be furnished to his parents, his wife and the Winnfield Times for publication. R. W. Oglesby Earl E. Kidd Julius T. Long "ORDER It is ordered by the Court that the above Memorial and resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Court and that the Court do now stand adjourned out of respect to the memory of the deceased, until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. This November 18, 1918. Cas Moss Judge