Housing Authority Spotlights Korean War Veteran
Donald Shaffer was born on June 11, 1932, and grew up on a farm in New Albany, Pennsylvania. He was raised with a passion for the outdoors, where he learned to enjoy hunting and fishing with his friends and family. At the age of twenty-one, Donald enlisted in the United States Army.
Donald served in the U.S. Army from April 1954 until March 1956, and continued to serve his country in the Army Reserves until 1959. After enlisting at the age of twenty one, he went to basic training in Fort Knox Kentucky for six months before he was stationed in Frankfort, Germany; serving in the Tank Battalion during the Korean Conflict.
Donald recalls one experience in Germany with particular fondness. While practicing in the remote areas of Germany, the battalion’s tank broke down and was left stranded without provisions for three days. They befriended local farmers who provided them with enough fruits and vegetables from their gardens to survive until they were rescued. Donald enjoyed his service in the Army and in Germany; recalling his time spent exploring the countryside and meeting the German people with fondness.
Once Donald returned home from his time in the service, he went home to New Albany where he resumed working on his family’s farm. Shortly after moving back to the area, Donald met and married his wife Frances in 1959, and the couple will celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary this coming March. Donald and Frances have four children, fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. After retiring from P&N Packing, Donald and Frances spent some time traveling and enjoying retirement before selling their home and moving into Colonial Towers in 2007. A few years later they moved over to Colonial Terrace and have lived their happily since 2010.
Frances and Donald enjoy the community-living experience of Colonial Terrace and have made many friends in the building. They participate in weekly bingo, monthly potluck dinners and especially enjoy the monthly van trips to local shops and restaurants. Last month they took a trip to Eagles Mere, Pa where they visited the small shops and had lunch at a local diner.
The Tioga/Bradford Housing Authority would like to thank Donald and all veterans for their service to our country. For more information on public housing, please visit our website at www.tbhra.org.