PARIS – Harold E. Delano was chosen as the Veteran of the Month recently at the Maine Veterans Home in Paris.

“Red” Delano is a veteran of World War II and is a resident of home’s A unit. A native of Boothbay, Delano still owns his home in Wiscasset, where he lived for many years.

Although he worked for Central Maine Power and was the superintendent of the local sewage treatment plant, Delano is probably most well-known as the owner of Red’s Eats on Main Street, Wiscasset. Purchased in 1958, it was sold in 1961.

Delano then purchased a drive-in restaurant nearby, changing the name to PandC Doghouse after his two high school age daughters who worked as car hops. Delano and his family owned the Doghouse until 1972.

Prior to becoming famous for lobster rolls and hamburgers, Delano entered the Army on Feb. 19, 1943, serving in the 3rd Army, 303rd Field Artillery. His job was in the wire section, laying telephone wires for communication purposes.

Spending time in the Ruhr pocket, he did his job “after dark and under cover.” The Allies mounted a campaign to capture that area of Germany. It was a successful effort, surrounding the entire area and trapping several hundred thousand Wehrmacht troops (Germany’s Army, Navy and Luftwaffe).

As Delano put it, “I was lucky.” He was honorably discharge Feb. 24, 1946, having achieved the rank of Tech 4 and earning the Victory Medal, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon.