Program honoring World War II veterans to be held Nov. 13
By Heather Ruenz
staff writer
The Whitewater Arts Alliance will host a program honoring World War II veterans from the Whitewater community at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Cultural Arts Center.
Dave Saalsaa, the owner of Quiet Hut Sports who is determined to recognize the sacrifices of those who served in the military, will lead the program.
Earlier this year Saalsaa decided to host the program while creating a display to honor area World War II veterans at his store – an idea that came to him after he attended the funeral of (John) Jack Frawley, a decorated World War II veteran.
Frawley, who was 93 when he died Sept. 20, 2015, according to his obituary, had served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946. He served under fire while participating in military action against Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, in the assault and capture of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, and against Japanese forces in Saipan in the Marianas Islands. He was awarded a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
Following his military service, Frawley returned to Whitewater and in 1948, took over Cites Service Oil distributorship, the beginning of Frawley Oil, a third generation company still in existence today.
“Then Eugene Otto died and he was also a veteran so it got me thinking. I started researching and found out that more than 100 people from Whitewater served during World War II. That’s amazing to me,” Saalsaa said.
During his research, which spanned several months, Saalsaa discovered that six World War II veterans were still living in Whitewater and 25 local World War II veterans had been killed in action. Their names are on a memorial at Starin Park.
Then, Saalsaa began talking to family members of the 25 veterans listed on the memorial, to gather as much information as he could.
Locating clothing that was historically correct, Saalsaa said, was a challenge but important to be as accurate as possible. He was able to borrow furniture from When Pigs Fly, a store in Whitewater.
While the display grabbed the attention of passersby, Saalsaa said providing details about how and where they were killed was important.
For Saalsaa, the most meaningful part of his research is the amazing stories he’s heard about local World War II veterans.
“Take Lt. Elaine Roe, for example, was stationed in Anzio, Italy and in charge of a hospital there. The Germans decided to bomb it and she was responsible for getting patients and staff to the bunkers safely. She and two of her staff were awarded the Silver Stars, the first women to ever do so,” Saalsaa said.
“Another interesting thing, in the Battle of Mets, France, a veteran, Don Grosinske was wounded – shot in the leg – but made it home, Dick Tratt was a fighter pilot and Private Omholt was in a tank. All three are from Whitewater. It was a tough struggle because the Germans were so fortified. The bunker walls were 8 feet thick. They were called the Iron Men of Mets,” he said.
Saalsaa said the display drew a lot of attention and a lot of compliments on the clothing but hopefully it helped get across the real message – one that he’ll share again during the upcoming program.
Saalsaa said it’s important that people take the time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We really do owe them a great deal,” he said.
The Nov. 13 program is free and open to the public though the Arts Alliance advises guests that space is limited and veterans will have priority for seating. If necessary to allow anyone interested in attending the program, it will be repeated at 4 p.m.
The Cultural Arts Center is located at 402 W. Main St., Whitewater.
