As we celebrate Memorial Day, please remember that "This is the day we pay homage to all those who didn't come home. This is not Veterans Day, it's not a celebration, it is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom." –Tamra Bolton

I would like to take a moment and share some of the names and faces of the first soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice from Wyandotte.


Edward C. Headman (1892-1918)

On May 29, 1892, Edward was born in Wyandotte. Edward grew up at 92 Chestnut Street and attended public school in Wyandotte. After graduation, Edward continued to further his education and on May 26, 1916, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. Shortly after graduation Edward went off to fight for his country in World War I. On September 1, 1918, Edward was killed in France. His military file says, “Headman was a 2nd Lt. at the time of his death. He was killed on the first Saturday night (or early Sunday morning) of Sept. about midnight...I (Pvt. Herbert Downs) saw him right afterwards and I know he wis (sic) killed instantly. He was shot by the sentry for not answering a challenge in time. It was up near the front on the Chateau Thierry sector. He was buried on Sunday by the Regimental Chaplin with full military funeral. He is buried at Sherry Chateau, the only grave on the side of the hill near the town…the grave is marked by a cross and tag by the cobblestones set in the ground all around it.” On May 25, 1921, Edward’s father requested his remains be brought back to America and placed in Arlington National Cemetery. On June 3, 1921, the funeral of Second Lieut. Edward C. Headman, Co.E. 302nd Engineers took place at Arlington National Cemetery.


Earl Henry Shanaver (1932-1950)

On August 15, 1932, Elenore and her husband Harry Shanaver welcomed their son Earl into the world. Earl was one of eight children and spent the majority of his life growing up in Taylor and Wyandotte. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, Earl thought it was his duty to go off and fight for his country. Unfortunately, Earl was killed in action on July 16, 1950. His remains were returned to his family and he is buried at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel cemetery.


Richard Lee Hollingsworth (1931-1966)

Born on August 8, 1931, son of Norma and Alfred Hollingsworth. Richard grew up in VanDyke, Michigan, where he attended Warren public schools and graduated from Lincoln High School in Warren. On December 1, 1965, Richard was sent over to Vietnam. On January 12, 1966, the Detroit Free Press published an article made up of letters from Sargent Hollingsworth, the article read: “ For Sgt. Richard L. Hollinsworth, somewhere in Vietnam with the U.S. Army and for his wife at home in Wyandotte, these letters were their love...At sundown, seven days ago, Sgt. Hollinsworth wrote again and promised the promise as old soldiering: “When I get home from this one, I’ll never leave you” and like so many soldiers before him, he kept his promise -tragically...At noon Tuesday, his wife Florence received a telegram that said her husband was coming home forever to her and their two children Richard (age 6) and Annette (age 7). “Your husbands (sic) remains” the telegram said coldly, officially, “have been consigned” to a Wyandotte funeral home.” Sargeant Richard Lee Hollingsworth died on January 9, 1966. He was laid out at Czopek Funeral Home and his final resting place is at Our Lady of Hope cemetery in Brownstown, Michigan.