Freimuth seen receiving his high school diploma while on base. | PHOTO PROVIDED BY LARRY FREIMUTH
“ Everything from secrets, to a folder that they handed to me one day that had stamped on it‘ for President Ford’ s eyes only,’” he said. While others might have been tempted to peek, Freimuth didn’ t hesitate.“ I didn’ t want any part of that,” he said. His time in Korea left the deepest mark. Stationed near the DMZ( Demilitarized Zone), Freimuth lived only 17 miles from North Korea, where he and his fellow soldiers lived with the constant possibility of renewed conflict.“ There was always a chance where the North Koreans could decide to re-ignite the war,” he said.“ If they decided to jump the border, 17 miles wasn’ t nothing for a missile.” He described it as his“ biggest culture shock.” After returning home in 1977, Freimuth worked various jobs before finding his niche in construction materials testing, including work on a nuclear power plant near Augusta, Georgia. Years later, after several heart attacks, he retired, calling himself“ a walking medical miracle.” In January 2024, Freimuth moved to Williamsburg to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, but adjusting to retired life proved difficult.“ I was basically sitting in my trailer seven days a week,” he said.“ I was like,‘ I got to get out of my trailer and do something.’” That something became VFW Post 3167, officially known as the Pierce Dant Hamblin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3167, located on US Highway 25 in Williamsburg. The organization provides fellowship and outreach for local veterans and serves as a bridge between them and the community. Once Freimuth joined, he quickly became one of the post’ s most active members.“ Last year, I went to every meeting, regional meeting, district meeting,” he said.“ I was very involved in the VFW last year.” Within days, he was elected trustee and began volunteering at community events like Old Fashioned Trading
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