WWII Veterans Project
In 2015, the Holt-Delhi Historical Society partnered with the Sam Corey Senior Center Club and Delhi Charter Township to celebrate the area’s World War II veterans. More than a dozen WWII veterans were grand marshals of the Holt Hometown Festival parade in 2015, marking 70 years since the end of the war. During the festival celebrations, the veterans participated in a panel discussion in which they each shared their memories and stories from the war. Each were subsequently interviewed by a film crew and historical society volunteer to record their oral history. Using the oral histories, a documentary titled “In Their Own Words” was produced. The veterans each also received a tribute from the Delhi Township Board of Trustees. Of the 17 local veterans that participated in the project in 2015-2017, 13 have since passed away.
Participating WWII Veterans
John Arnett
Dr. Howard Brighton
Jack Degener
Robert DeVinney
William Graham
Leonard Gyles
Ellis Hicks
Fred C.H. Holmer
Robert Vondale
Gilbert Holmes
Edward Kines
Donald Morgenstern
Edward Pekrul
Donald Price
Lennie Rhodes
Ernie Snyder
Richard Thelen
Dale Balch