Three area men will be joining those on the Kenneth D. Bailey Academy ‘Wall of Honor’ in Danville. The winning recipients are selected based on their demonstration of strong community values and exemplary military service.
Being honored this year are:
- Major Frank Luzenske, a retired U.S. Marine Corp Veteran who served with the Marine Reserves for forty-one years;
- Harold Bott, who attained the rank of Staff Sergeant during his six years in the U.S. Army, and is a founding member of the Danville chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association;
- Morris Hunter, who was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and others during his service in the Korean Conflict.
All three will be honored during a program at the Kenneth D. Bailey Academy on Thursday, May 11th. The men will also be recognized at the Veteran’s Concert that evening at Danville High School which begins at 7:00 p.m.
Frank Luzenske began a teaching and coaching career at Oakwood High School, and then moved to Danville High School where he coached wrestling, swimming and football. He was active on the football field until 2015. He ran the WECEP program, and was instrumental in starting the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program at the high school. Luzenske also hosted the Community Connection and School Time programs on WDAN Radio. Luzenske has always been eager to help young people. ‘’They are great people,’’ he says.
Harold Bott served his community after his service in the Korean Conflict. He was a Danville Township Trustee, and also served as head custodian at Danville High School before becoming the School District 118 Director of Buildings and Grounds. Bott has been a 75 year member of the Central Park Church of Christ in Tilton and is a 30 year member of the Gideon Bible Society. He has also been active with VFW Post 728, including serving as Post Chaplain and Commander of the Honor Guard.
Morris Hunter loved to joke that he was in the ‘’soul saving business.’’ He started a shoe repair business at the age of 12 and continued to work at Simon’s Shoe Repair Service upon his return from military service. In 1956 he joined the Danville Fire Department as one of the first Black firefighters in the city. In 1975, he and his wife became the owners of Simon’s Shoe Service. Morris and his wife sold the business after he suffered a stroke in 1995. A nomination letter for the Kenneth D. Bailey Wall of Honor said Hunter ‘’never met a stranger. No matter how busy he was, he always had time to greet everyone with a smile and an occasional coin trick..’.
