Soldier who served in Germany makes interesting Graceland discovery

Soldier who served in Germany makes interesting Graceland discovery

Frank John Classen, born in Glencoe, Minn., served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany.

"Germany is a beautiful country," Classen said. "I actually had a good time there because it was so much history - just going to different castles."

While there, he worked with a sound-ranging platoon.

"Our job was: We had equipment that we could decide where fire was coming from - machine guns or cannons."

The equipment would take three readings, send them out, and then in theory, "the artillery could have a field day."

Elvis Presley also served in Germany in the late 1950s, though he entered right about when Classen left. When Classen visited Graceland years later, he realized that the boots in Presley's mansion weren't historically accurate. They were the wrong Army boots.

"The docent admitted it wasn't the boots they were supposed to have," he said.

Classen's brother Donald served abroad in Korea. His nephews Jerry and John served in the Marine Corps.

Classen said he's proud to have a family who has lots of members who've served. This kind of patriotism is important, he said. "That’s why we’re free yet."