This Veterans Day, Carrot-Top Industries had the privilege of serving a true American hero. 99-year-old veteran Dorma Holt, drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944, bravely served during the final stretch of WWII. Last Friday, our team gathered at his home in Burlington, NC, to help refresh his home’s exterior and replace his flag and flagpole. The day involved hard work—from painting porches and raking leaves to other home improvement tasks—all as a gesture of gratitude for Mr. Holt’s service and sacrifices.

About Dorma Holt 

During our time with Mr. Holt, Carrot-Top team members were captivated by his remarkable stories of service. Warm and friendly, he spoke openly about his experiences in WWII, sharing memories that few are fortunate enough to hear firsthand. 

Born on August 23, 1925, Mr. Holt was just 18 when he was drafted and traveled across the Atlantic to serve in WWII. Assigned to the 829th Amphibious Truck Company, he operated a DUKW truck, or “Duck”—an amphibious vehicle crucial to the war effort for transporting supplies and, at times, supporting combat operations.  

"I was 18 years old… got there right after the invasion of France… went on through Germany and Belgium, and crossed the Rhine River down into Germany… down through the Alps Mountains into Austria,” he recalled. “We liberated a concentration camp in Austria, Matthausen, I believe was the name of it.”

WWII Experiences and Challenges 

Mr. Holt served in the Battle of the Bulge, a campaign marked by harsh conditions and heavy fighting, where his DUKW unit played an essential role in moving equipment and transporting supplies under fire. He recalled the dangers they faced: “We got shot at, got hit with strafing from airplanes… artillery fire, all that type of stuff. I never did get hit.”  

When Germany surrendered, Mr. Holt hoped to return home, but with insufficient “points” to qualify for an early discharge, he was sent to Japan. His journey took him 15,000 miles across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, to the Philippines, and finally to Yokohama, Japan.  

Reflecting on the unity of the American people during that time, Mr. Holt noted, “During World War II, everybody was in agreement, the whole country. Everybody was behind veterans. There was no division like we have today. Everybody was all out to help with the war because Hitler would have taken over the world.” 

Carrot-Top Industries’ Veterans Day Project 

Carrot-Top Industries was honored to give back in a meaningful way, helping Mr. Holt with much-needed home improvements. Nine team members, including our CEO, Liz Morris, gathered at his home to volunteer. 

How We Discovered the Opportunity to Help 

Our connection with Mr. Holt came through our Customer Service Lead, Stefanie Worchester, who reached out to Alamance County Veteran Services to see if any local veterans needed assistance. Tammy Crawford, from the Veteran Services office, introduced us to Mr. Holt, providing a perfect chance to give back to a WWII veteran. 

Preparing for the Project 

In preparation, our VP of Sales and Marketing, Ted Seward, power-washed Mr. Holt’s porches. On the day of the event, the team spent hours scraping, painting, and clearing leaves. We cleaned out gutters, trimmed trees, and raked leaves to refresh his yard. After finishing the initial work, we took down his damaged flagpole and installed our signature Presidential Set, which features aluminum swirl rings to keep the flag from tangling. 

Reflecting on the experience, Seward shared, “There is no higher standard to follow than that of an American Veteran,” Seward said. “For me, it is always very fulfilling to serve others, especially our distinguished American veterans. Thanks, Dad and Dorma, for your courage and service!” 

About Carrot-Top Industries 

Carrot-Top Industries is a leading American flag retailer specializing in high-quality flags for schools, businesses, and government agencies. Our Beacon® Nylon and Patriarch® Polyester American Flags, crafted with individually sewn stripes and embroidered stars, are trusted by customers nationwide. At Carrot-Top, we’re committed to helping customers display their patriotism with pride, whether through excellent customer service or meaningful community engagement.