COLUMBUS – The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct the Class of 2015 in a ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 5 at the Lincoln Theater in Columbus. The Ohio veterans’ community and the public are cordially invited to attend and honor the 20 Ohioans in this year’s class as they join the 478 others who are enshrined in the Hall.
The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to recognize the post-military achievements of veterans in community service after their military service ended. Charter members of the Hall’s Class of 1993 included the six Ohio military veterans who were elected President of the United States and all Medal of Honor recipients from Ohio. Honorees of the past 22 years include astronauts, government officials, police officers, community leaders, and veterans’ advocates.
The Lincoln Theater is located at 769 E Long St, Columbus, OH 43203.
The inductees of the Class of 2015 are:
William H. Adams, (1929 – 2012) from Columbus, Franklin County, a veteran in the U.S. Army.
Jennifer L. Baun, 49, of Youngstown, Mahoning County served in the U.S. Navy.
Ernest H. Bowman, 88, of Castalia, Erie County is a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in World War II.
Todd A. Briggs, 55, of Westerville, Franklin County served in the U. S. Air Force and was deployed during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Michael L. DeHart, 73, of Troy, Miami County served in the U.S. Army and is a highly decorated veteran.
Dennis DeMolet, 69, of Kettering, Montgomery County served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Thomas V. Francis, (1922-2013) from Russia, Ohio in Shelby County was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II.
George E. Freeman Jr., 85, of Marysville, Union County served in the U. S. Army in the Korean and Vietnam War.
Waverly Glover, 93, of Springfield, Clark County served in the U.S. Army in World War II.
Philip R. Gregg, 77, of Newark, Licking County served in the U.S. Army and the Ohio Army National Guard.
Johnnie D. Hatfield, 74, of Canal Fulton, Stark County served in the U.S. Army and the Ohio Army National Guard.
Albert H. Horn, Jr., 93, of Bryan, Williams County served in the U.S. Navy in World War II.
David L. Kolbe, 65, of Howard, Knox County served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War.
Philip S. Meeks, 95, of Lima, Allen County served in the U.S. Navy in World War II.
Janice C. Messenheimer-Courtney, 58, of Navarre, Stark County was born and raised in Alliance before serving in the U.S. Army during the Cold War.
William J. Richards, 66, of Columbus, Franklin County served in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War.
Nathan D. Shaffer, 67, of Spencerville, Allen County served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War, and later the Ohio Army National Guard and the Army Reserves.
Charles D. Van Voorhis, 67, of Marion County served in the U. S. Marine Corps in the Vietnam War.
Peter R. Wilkinson, 75, of Dublin, Delaware County served in the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam War.
Lynn E. Wolaver, 91, of Fairborn, Greene County served in U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II.
Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Committee
The Hall of Fame Executive Committee, comprised entirely of veterans, serves as advisors for the Hall of Fame and selects up to 20 inductees annually from nominations provided by the citizens of Ohio. Men and women chosen for induction into the Hall come from all eras, all branches of service and all walks of life.
The bronze plaque honoring the Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2015 will be on display in the Ohio Statehouse 3rd Street lobby just inside from the Veterans Plaza Nov. 6 through May 2016. An Enshrinement Ceremony will be held in early May when the Class of 2015 will be added to the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame permanent display on the second floor of the Riffe Center for Government and the Arts at 77 South High Street in downtown Columbus.
