The Spokane Chapter of MOAA

Holds periodic luncheons featuring civic, political, military or business leaders, plus social activities such as baseball and football games, golf, and the theater.

Publishes a newsletter about six times per year to Inform members of chapter events and legislative issues.

Promotes legislation to defend veterans benefits and support key National Defense issues.

Actively contact federal and state senators and representatives.
Sponsors local recognition programs for ROTC and JROTC Units.
Supports the Spokane Armed Forces and Aerospace Museum.

SHAWN GUST/Press Retired Army Maj. William Wallace Connally, who is the Grand Marshal at this year's Veterans parade in Hayden, will receive the Distinguished Veteran award from the city's Historical Commission and Veterans Affairs Committee on Saturday.

William “Wally” Connally fought in World War II, continues to volunteer with police

HAYDEN -- William “Wally”Connally has the kind of guts Americans rarely see outside the movies.

When field doctors agreed an explosion had given him a concussion in the midst of the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, they offered him a ride to Paris for a safe recovery.

But knowing his infantry was suffering heavy casualties, with only 50 of the original 215 straggling in the trenches, the then-23-year-old chose to head back to the front lines.

He remained entrenched with his comrades in the winter chill through three more battles, until he had to be carried off the field to be hospitalized for frozen feet.

"Initially I was scared, of course -- we all were," remembered Connally, now 87 and living in Hayden. "But then you begin to see just how bad things really are and how bad you're really needed."

The retired Army major, who has been given the European Theatre of Operations medal, three Battle Stars, the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, said these days he just pushes those 12 years of active duty to the back of his mind. "Most of us (veterans) try to put those things behind us," he said.

But his country won't push memories of his valor aside, nor will it dismiss the contributions of his fellow veterans in wars and service since then.

Connally will be honored by the city of Hayden on Saturday at the second Veterans Day Parade, where he'll be featured among marching servicemen and women.

Following the parade, the city will commend Connally with the Distinguished Veteran Award at noon at the City Hall Council Chambers. He will also be presented with an engraved brick that will be placed in the future PFC Robert J. Gordon Veterans Memorial Plaza.

"We don't want to just honor veterans after they've passed away, we want to let them know they're appreciated," said Wayne Syth, chairman of the Veteran Affairs Committee and one of the organizers of Saturday's event.

Award recipients are chosen for their military record and how much they give to their communities after they return from combat, Syth said.

"We had two or three other names submitted that had explicit military records -- a Silver Star, a Purple Heart," he said. "But they didn't really do much when they came back to civilian life, just got a job and did it." Not so for Connally.

Sgt. Christie Wood, who nominated Connally for the award, said he is all but a regular employee at the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, where he has volunteered for the last 15 years.

"He comes in four days a week and puts in several hours a day, that's pretty rare for a volunteer," Wood said. "When he's not going to make it in for whatever reason, he calls in to let us know."

Boasting a past career with the Los Angeles Police Department, Connally started out assisting Coeur d'Alene detectives in investigations. He evolved through different departments over the years, and single-handedly created the department's volunteer branch four years ago.

Now the branch boasts 38 volunteers, all of whom Connally has recruited, interviewed and scheduled for work.

"He is from a generation that believes in country first, and he gives so much of himself," Wood said. "Even at the age of 87, he is still giving back to his community and his country."
Others marching in Saturday's parade will include Veterans of Foreign Wars and Kootenai County Disabled American Veterans.

Syth, a Vietnam veteran himself, hopes that hundreds attend this year and for years to come.