Area veterans and their families filled the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts Center on Nov. 13 for a program honoring World War II veterans, presented by David Saalsaa.
In addition to sharing 12 poignant stories about local veterans, Saalsaa also had various uniforms from the era on display.
Saalsaa, owner of Quiet Hut Sports, has been researching the history of veterans for more than two years, and said during the program his heroes are not those with numbers on sports uniforms but rather those with numbers on dog tags who served in World War II.
He said more than 500 people from the Whitewater area served in World War II and shared stories about several of them.
Those commemorated during the program included: Art Lein, U.S. Army; Libby Gardner, U.S. Army WASP Pilot; Gene Lee, U.S. Army Air Forces; Don Hale, U.S. Navy Pilot; Jack Frawley, U.S. Marine; Jim Underwood, U.S. Navy Hospital Ship Pharmacist Mate; Clifford Witte, U.S. Navy; Dick Tratt, U.S. Army Air Forces Pilot; Ivan Bogie, U.S. Army Air Forces Pilot; Elaine Roe, U.S. Army Nurse; Don Grosinske, U.S. Army Infantry; Bill Miles, U.S. Army Military Police; Eddie Skindingsrude Jr., U.S. Army Air Forces.
Saalsaa, a man intent on recognizing the sacrifices of those who have served in the military, was joined by musician Bill Hill, who played guitar and sang songs from that era.
