This page is dedicated to those who have been honored by family, friends, etc. by way of the Thomas Township “Hometown Heroes” banner project. Thomas Township and the Downtown Development Authority are proud to display the banners of those residents, past, and present, who have served or are currently serving the United States of America.
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 WAR
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 county 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 a 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 Kings 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 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 Corp 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.
-Honored by Craig Monahan
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.
-Honored by Kathy Potucek
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!
-Honored by Dana McClure, Tracy Aldrich, and his entire family
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
-Honored by Kerri Stockford
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.
-Honored by Josh Kemerer
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 Corp league, where he serves as a Marine Corp 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
ROBERT J. COFFEY
U.S. AIR FORCE – A3C E-2
He is our hero and he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as a self-defense instructor teaching combat measures to the pilots. He was a member of the United States Air Force World Judo Team earning his first-degree black belt while he was stationed in Japan, a member of the United States Air Force Football Team, and also served as a Physical Conditioning Specialist.
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 myself 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.