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Honoring our local veterans at the Wayne Library

By Sarah Shurge not let anything like his past, his age,
Veterans Day is a day set aside to or his blindness, hold him back.
celebrate and honor all military vet- Manshardt is legally blind and
erans who have served. That in- hasn’t been able to drive for 24 years.
cludes those who have died in the “In the beginning, I really missed
service and the ones still with us. driving but I learned to live with it
In 2021, local veteran Daniel and learned to get around,” said
Valdez and the Wayne Public Library Manshardt. “I have people that help
came up with a way to honor our and give rides. I’m satisfied doing
local veterans for November and what I'm doing. I'm thankful I'm still
have continued the veterans’ display alive.”
each year since. Manshardt is also able to access
“This is an opportunity to thank free Uber rides through an allowance
the veterans for the service they have from the VA (U.S. Department of Vet-
provided and shine visibility on peo- erans Affairs).
ple in our local area that we may not “I’m thankful that I served, thank-
realize have served this country,” ful that I'm still alive, and thankful
said Jody Wolak, Wayne Public Li- for everything veterans have done,”
brary director. said Manshardt.
The display showcases photos of The veterans’ display was put up
veterans within the community of on Monday, November 4th, in the
Wayne. Local veterans like Ron Man- large glass display case in the Wayne
shardt. Public Library lobby. Pictures will
You may have seen Manshardt continue to be added throughout the
walking around the City of Wayne or month as they come in.
referred to him as the “Wayne street Ron Manshardt points to his picture in the Veteran display at the Wayne Public Li- Any veterans in the area, family of
walker,” but did you know he fought veterans in the area, or anyone with
for our country overseas? brary. Photo by John Rhaesa a connection to the City of Wayne
Manshardt enlisted in 1966, dur- “If it wasn't for Purple Heart, however, he also re- that is a veteran, can submit a pic-
ing the Vietnam War. ceived his Vietnam War Veteran and ture for the display.
He knew he was going to be veterans none of United States Marine Corps medals. “All veterans should be appreci-
drafted, and a friend suggested a way “I went to fight and I survived. I'm ated more than they are sometimes.
that they could get out of being thankful for that,” said Manshardt. It's an honor to be thought of like
drafted – enlisting. So Manshardt us would be “I’m thankful that I did what I did – that,” said Manshardt.
joined the United States Marine that I enlisted rather than being You can email a picture to
Corps. around today.” drafted.” help@wayne.lib.mi.us with your
Manshardt completed basic train- Manshardt was working at Ford name and branch of service. Or you
ing and was sent to Vietnam, where Ron Manshardt Motor Company when he took a can bring a photo into the library
he stayed for three months until he leave of absence during his service. during regular hours of operation.
was wounded. While being evacu- Altogether, Manshardt was Once his service with the military If you have already submitted
ated, he got hit in the leg and was wounded in his shoulder, left leg, left was completed, he returned to Ford photos in previous years, the library
wounded again. thigh, and right wrist with shrapnel. and worked there for another 40 has saved them and will put them up
He was taken to a hospital in years. again, so there’s no need to resubmit.
Japan, where he was treated, and “After my service, nothing really “It went really well last year. We
then stayed at Camp Hansen in Oki- changed in my life very much. I still have over 50 photos on display,” said
nawa, Japan for about seven had thoughts in my mind and car- Wolak. “Adults and children alike
months. ried hurts with me, but it never enjoy looking at them and searching
Manshardt returned to the phased my life. I wouldn't have done for people they know.”
United States, and then he was sta- anything different had I not served,” The library is open Monday
tioned at Camp Lejeune in Jack- said Manshardt. through Thursday from 10 a.m. - 8
sonville, North Carolina for about a One thing that bothered Man- p.m. and Friday and Saturday from
year. shardt for a while was when he 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Manshardt was discharged in learned a man he served with in Ok- “All veterans should be proud
1969 and received a Purple Heart for inawa was sent back to Vietnam and they did what they did, and people
his service in the Vietnam War. killed in action. should be proud and thankful they
The Purple Heart is a United “That bothered me for a while be- had people that chose to do that. If it
States Military Decoration awarded cause I got close to him and he didn’t wasn't for veterans none of us would
in the name of the President to those deserve that,” said Manshardt. “We be around today,” said Manshardt.
who have been wounded or killed have a phrase: It's over, it's done, get Thank you to Valdez, Manshardt,
while serving on or after April 5th, on with your life.” and all the other veterans for their
1917 with the United States Military. And that is exactly what Man- service, and be sure to check out the
Even though Manshardt was shardt has done. veterans’ display at Wayne Public Li-
Ron Manshardt wounded twice, he only received one At 77 years old, Manshardt does brary.
The Wayne Dispatch · November 2024 · 3