WILLIAM BOELK

ARMY – AIR FORCE STAFF SERGEANT

JUNE 1942 – DECEMBER 1945

WORLD WAR II

My Father, My Hero!

-Honored by Judy Fanning

MARK FANNING

MARINE CORPS – SERGEANT

1995 – 2002

Mark has always been a great person. From a young age, he was always focused on goals and trying to be the best. He is a loyal and loving son, father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend. Anyone that has the pleasure of knowing him is better because of him.

-Honored by Judy Fanning

MARTIN HUMPHREY

ARMY – E3

APRIL 20TH, 1976 – JANUARY 10TH, 1979

KOREAN CONFLICT

Marty is a proud American who enlisted in the Army at age 17. He is a great man who has your back, which makes him a great friend as well!

-Honored by American Gasser Hot Rod Shop

ROBERT PAHSSEN

MARINE CORPS – PRIVATE FIRST CLASS

1951 – 1954

KOREAN WAR

Our father was a proud Marine. While serving our country, he received the following medals: National Defense, Korean Service with 1 star, and the United Nations Service Medal. Bob was an honest and humble man. He was a loving father, grandfather, and dear friend to everyone. Bob passed away on September 24, 1983, at the young age of 50. Gone but never forgotten.

-Honored by Rick Pahssen

DAVID A. SOMMERS

AIR FORCE – SERGEANT

MAY 1969 – MAY 1973

VIETNAM WAR

Long before we were married, he proudly served in the Air Force. He completed a tour in Vietnam as a combat photographer, where he flew hundreds of hours documenting the Air Force’s role in the war. He earned an Air Medal and Commendation Medal. He then served two years with the air demonstration team, The Thunderbirds, where he traveled the U.S. representing the Air Force. Ever since we have been married, he has continued serving his community in various roles that were instilled in him while serving the country.

-Honored by Edith Sommers

FLORENZIO M. ORNELAS

ARMY – SP4-E-4

DECEMBER 8, 1964 – AUGUST 21, 1966

VIETNAM

Florenzio volunteered to go to Vietnam. He was very honored to serve his Country. His family is very proud of him and feels he deserves to be included in this honor because he grew up in Shields and Saginaw. He passed away on June 26th, 2020.

–Honored by Darlene Ornelas

ARTHUR D. NOEY

NAVY – LT. COMMANDER

1971 – 1991

VIETNAM

Art Noey was proud to have served his country. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1963 and served for 28 years, three of which were on active duty. He was deployed aboard the USS Midway and spent the better part of 1971 in Vietnam. In 1991, Lt. Commander Noey retired from the Navy, having thoroughly enjoyed his time abroad, with the Philippines and Japan being among his favorites. He credits the Navy for teaching him discipline. Today, he owns and operates three (3) Maytag stores between Saginaw and Frankenmuth.

-Honored by Paige Breece

ROBERT EVEN

NAVY – TORPEDOMAN’S MATE, THIRD CLASS USNR

JUNE 15, 1943 – MARCH 15, 1946

WORLD WAR II

My father served his country starting at age 17. He was a resident of Thomas Township and also a business owner; he owned “Paul Bunyan Meat Products.”

-Honored by Ann Pahssen

FRANK ORNELAS

ARMY

1952 – 1954

KOREAN WAR

My Grandfather is a strong man with a desire to give back to the community. He currently serves as the Michigan State Commander for the American GI Forum and assists with military funerals as a chaplain.

-Honored by Alex Ornelas

JACK E. TEMPLE

ARMY – COMBAT ENGINEER – SERGEANT E5

JUNE 1953 – JULY 1955

KOREAN WAR

I am very proud of my Dad.

-Honored by Kimberly Alfano

EDMUND WURTZEL

ARMY AIR FORCE – MASTER SERGEANT

1945 – 1945 & 1950 – 1953

KOREAN WAR

My father, Edmund, enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1941 at the age of 22 and served in the European Theater through the end of the war in 1945. He was recalled in 1950 to serve in the Korean War and served until 1953 with his final rank as Master Sergeant. He passed away and was buried with military honors in 2007.

-Honored by Patrick Wurtzel

WILLIAM O. PRINE

NAVY – LIEUTENANT (JG), USNR

1943 – 1945

WORLD WAR II

Enlisting in the US Navy “to do his part for Uncle Sam”, William received his high school diploma while at sea.  WW II ended with Lieutenant J.G. Prine aboard a Merchant Marine tanker in the Panama Canal.  He earned the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Middle East, Pacific War Zone Bars, and the Victory Medal. A King’s Point graduate commissioned Ensign USNR, and a University of Michigan Architecture graduate, William, worked as an architect until retirement. This nomination is in William’s honor for the integrity with which he led his life. William is remembered as a loving family man and a proud American Veteran.

-Honored by Becky Prine Sullivan

VERN WEBER

ARMY – SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS

MARCH 1955 – MARCH 1958

Vern enlisted and served in the US Army Signal Corps and achieved the rank of Specialist 2nd Class. He was stationed in the US Army Signal Defense Engineering Agency as a radar repair technician assigned to the Missile Master System, which was the defense of Washington, D.C. With pride and dedication, Vern served 40 years in Thomas Township as a police officer, board member, and Treasurer. Vern is a much-loved husband, father grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

-Honored by Yvonne Weber

BRETT MONAHAN

NAVY – E4

2008 – 2014

MODERN

Brett decided to serve his country after High School in the most challenging way possible; he wanted to be a Navy SEAL. He was not dissuaded even when I told him he had a better chance statistically to be an NFL player. He accepted the challenge with the words “I just want to be the best.” Though his dream to be a SEAL was not realized, he became a Rescue Swimmer and Weapons Instructor. He did two tours of duty assigned to the assault ship USS Makin Island. He served his country proudly, and in my eyes, he is the best.

JACK J. BETHURUM

AIR FORCE – SERGEANT

1947 – 1953

KOREAN WAR

Jack served his country in the Air Force during the Korean War with the same selfless existence in which he lives his life today. Though we always thank him for his service, we think that he would love to see his picture on a banner in Thomas Township, the community where he has lived with his family for so many years.

CHARLES “RUSTY” VAN MARTER

NAVY – FIRST CLASS PETTY OFFICER

1962 – 1987

VIETNAM ERA

Our dad served in the United States Navy for 25 years. He served in the Vietnam Era and experienced ridicule from Americans when he returned home. He does not talk much about that time for many reasons. He also does not brag or display the fact that he was in the Navy, as he is a very humble man. We would like to honor him publicly for his service and dedication to our country, which is something he would never ask for or expect. He is our family’s hero, and we love and respect him!

FRANK PAWLICK

ARMY AIR FORCES – T/SGT

1941 – 1944

WWII

Enlisted in the Army Air Forces on December 27th, 1941. Flew as a T/SGT with the 341st Sqdn, 97th Bomb Group. They pulled the 1st daylight bombing raid from England and the oldest Fortress Group overseas. Veterans of 4 campaigns, 1st Fortress to bomb Europe from England, 1st to strike Germany from Africa, 1st to land an American Fortress in Russia. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. Metals: Air Medal w/2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Emblem, WWII Victory Medal, European – African – Middle East Campaign Medal w/2 Silver Stars, American Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Honorable Service Lapel Button

RONALD PLAGA

ARMY – SPEC 4

1971 – 1973

Everything about Ron exemplifies what service means. Ron always goes out of his way to help people and never expects anything in return. Whether it be fixing his granddaughter’s bike or helping a neighbor fix a chimney. Ron is always willing to help. His grandkids love him, and he returns that love tenfold.

NORMAN R. BELL

U.S. NAVY RESERVE – ENSIGN AVIATOR

1942 – 1945

Norm was a lifelong resident of Thomas Township and was always very proud of his service in World War II as a Naval Aviator in the Pacific Theater. He leaves a legacy of public service to Thomas Township, serving on the township board for more than twenty years and serving as township supervisor for many of those years. Three of his sons served in Vietnam.

Honored by Roger Bell

JOHN DAVENPORT

MARINES – LANCE CORPORAL

John is a member of the John C Rock Marine Corps League, where he serves as a Marine Corps League Officer. He has also headed the Toys for Tots program and has been chosen Marine of the Year. He is a very dedicated Marine.

-Honored by Lorraine Davenport

WILLIAM KOCKS JR.

ARMY – CORPORAL

My father, whom we are very proud of. He was a POW Nazi German prisoner. He served as a medic, but when captured, he became a medic for the German Soldiers. He received a Purple Heart, a good conduct medal, and an EAME Ribbon. He is a father of six and raised us on his own at the age of 40. So not only a Veteran but an awesome dad. We are so very proud to honor him as a World War II Veteran.

-Honored by Christine M. Bailey

LEONARD KAMSICKAS

U.S. NAVY – HM3

Len Kamsickas was a long-time Thomas Township resident and was very proud of his military service. He served in both Oakland, California, and Kodiak Island, Alaska, during the Korean War as a hospital corpsman. Len passed away in October 2022 at the age of 88 and is buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery. We miss him dearly.

Honored by the Kamsickas Family

HENRY TRIER

MARINES – GY SGT.

I chose to honor my brother as my Hometown Hero. At a very young age (17), he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He wanted to serve his country and make a better living for himself. He has traveled to lots of places and has seen lots of cool things, but gave up his family to do so. I’ll never forget watching Channel 1 in middle school and saying the Pledge of Allegiance every day for all who were fighting for us.

ARTHUR SCHULTZ

ARMY AIR FORCE – CPL

Arthur Schultz was my father. He loved his family of seven children. He worked very hard to provide for us. He never missed a work day except for funerals, births, and the big snowstorm of 1967. He was always helping someone, whether fixing their cars, cutting their grass, or delivering vegetables from his huge garden. He took us to church on Sunday mornings and Grandma’s on Sunday afternoons. When the skies were black and a storm was approaching, he was outpacing the field to protect his family from a tornado. He is still missed. My other siblings are Darold Schultz, David Schultz, Ron Schultz, Tim Schultz, Crystal Patrick, Janice (who passed away as an infant), and I, Rosemary.

HAYES MACK

ARMY – SP3

JULY 1952 – JULY 1955, KOREAN WAR

We called him husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, and friend. Everyone who met Hayes quickly learned how much he loved and was proud of his family, country, and God. He is greatly missed.

RICHARD N. WIGGINS

AIR FORCE – SERGEANT

JANUARY 1966 – MAY 1969

I want to honor my dad for the Home Town Heroes because he tells us stories of his time in the military, growing up, and even now. He was and still is proud and honored to have served his country. My dad is Sergeant Richard (Ned) Wiggins. He served in the United States Air Force at McGuire Air Base from 1966 – 1969 as an airline mechanic for the Medevac planes.

JEROLD W. DUSEK

US NAVY – SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER

1959 – 1961 & 1978 – 1998

Jerold is my husband. I am very proud of him and his service to our country. He was a born sailor, and he loved his career in the Navy. He has been a role model to his sons and grandsons. One of his grandsons became a career sailor and achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Another grandson was a naval sea cadet for six years. Jerry’s motto is “You can take the man out of the navy, but you can never take the navy out of the man!”

STANLEY MUSIAL

US ARMY – SP4

September 2, 1965 – JULY 4, 1967 – VIETNAM

Stan spent 12 months in combat in the jungles of Vietnam without a base camp. He slept on the ground or in a tent. He saw many from his unit killed in action, yet he came home unscathed and proud of his service. He is still pleased to discuss what he experienced.

WILLIAM G. SPITZ JR.

ARMY – PFC

MAY 1951 – FEBRUARY 1953

Our father is an inspiration. He served in Korea, driving ammo and supplies to the front lines, and we’re so thankful he returned home. He just celebrated his 94th birthday on September 18, 2024. He is active in his community and sings at senior centers with his daughter, Michele Spitz. He has also sung with her at Roethke Park concerts. He rides a bike and loves to pass out stars to fellow servicemen and women.

NELSON ARMSTRONG

ARMY – PFC (T) TO SPECIAL 3RD CLASS

NOVEMBER 9, 1956 TO NOVEMBER 7, 1958 – CONFLICT ERA

Nelson Armstrong lived and worked in Thomas Township for over 40 years. Thomas Township employed him in many positions. He filled the building inspector, code enforcement officer, and tax assessor positions, with the treasurer being his final position until his passing in October 2007. Lifetime resident 1962 – 2007.

CHESTER R. LATTY

US MARINES – CPL 1372

MARCH 1952 TO MARCH 1954 – KOREAN CONFLICT

Chester served the U.S. Military with honor. Lifelong resident of Thomas Township from 1956 – 2025.

WILLIAM DWENGER

ARMY – SPECIALISTS E4

5/1954 – 5/1956 KOREA 5/1954 – 5/1962 ARMY RESERVE

William left his family to serve in Korea from May 1954 through May 1956. He was proud to serve his country. Bill was an Army Specialist E-4 being discharged from the Army Reserves in 1962. With love, William’s children and grandchildren.