As 1940’s music played in the background, a highly successful event in tribute to World War II era veterans was held on November 6, 2010 at the Wheatland Township Hall.
More than 80 persons attended the Honor Our Veterans event. The day included a ceremony, spaghetti dinner, storytelling, and numerous displays of memorabilia. The items on display, both donated and loaned, reflected the lives of those that served in faraway places and the families left behind during the World War II years.
Included on display were two 48 state American flags, helmets, several military uniforms, newspaper articles of WWII beginning and ending, magazine articles, books, souvenirs of Japan, photos of several veterans, personal memoirs of the War, purple hearts, many other badges & medals, ration tokens and books, rifles, and bayonets. There were also items on display from WWI and the Civil War.
There were many items that tugged on the heart strings such as the wedding clothes of Orrin Havens and Rosemary Simon Havens (shown on left). Many of the letters written home by service men and women serving in far off places were on display. One memorable letter was written by Harry Howard to his parents, Nellie and Faber Howard. In the letter he wrote that he was serving in France carrying some lumber when another soldier said, Hey, your brother is here! He dropped his load of lumber to run and greet his brother Bill Howard. Linda Howard noted that five Howard brothers were serving in the Armed Forces during World War II.
The ceremony began with bugling by Dar Howard and an opening blessing by Barryton American Legion Chaplin Wayne Hull. Linda Howard, President of Remus Area Historical Society gave a welcome. Gary Cox, who planned and coordinated the event, (along with Mary Simon, Char Lenon, Ken Todd and Erna Simon) presented pins of gratitude in special recognition to the World War II veterans.
Fifteen WWII veterans were awarded: Hank Young, Justin Wernette, Gale Esch, Wayne May, John Miller, Loren Wernette, H. Stuart Dague, Edd Martston, Max Snyder, Luke Crowley, Vivian Dowling Fulk, John Serowizk, Jim Miller, and, Dick Sherbarth, as well as Korean veteran Don Cushman. The microphone was passed to each veteran to tell his or her stories. Some, like Vivian Dowling Fulk stood proudly in her WAC uniform as she told about working on planes. (See Justin Wernette below left in his original uniform and a young Fulk below right.) The Honor Our Veterans event would not have been a success without the fund from Match Day 2010!
