My Turn: 15 years later, recalling the words of Wally Connally
Wood
Last week, my husband handed me a faded, folded copy of the Coeur d’Alene Press. It was dated Sept. 12, 2011. He found the paper among his father’s things. My father-in-law, Maj. Robert “Doug” Wood, was a war veteran who flew air lift support missions in Vietnam.
This paper contained an article I had written 15 years ago while working as a sergeant at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. I had written it to honor my friend, war hero Wally Connally’s 90th birthday. I can only surmise Doug kept the article because it meant something to him. Veterans share a forever bond that is deeply understood by other veterans.
It is now March of 2026, and our country is at war with Iran. Whether you support the war or find it abhorrent, it's vital we all understand the personal sacrifice of the men and women who serve. This old article brought a tear to my eye as I remembered both Doug and Wally, who have since passed on. They are, without question, two of the finest men I have ever met. I share this dated story with you today in honor of all veterans and their families who too often make the ultimate sacrifice.
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If we are lucky in life, we get a chance to meet people who truly embrace what it means to serve their country and community and have made the personal sacrifices documented in our history books.
The men and women of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department have had the opportunity over the last 18 years to meet and work with such an individual. On Sept. 19, 2011, our friend and longtime police volunteer, Wallace J. Connally (Wally), will turn 90. He is, as Tom Brokaw coined, from the “Greatest Generation,” and we would like to honor him for his years of service.
Wally has been a volunteer at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department since 1993. He arrived at our doorstep one day in June, and, in typical Connally fashion, he asked if he could be of any help to us. Capt. Carl Bergh (retired) promptly put him to work in the Detective Division, telephoning victims of property crimes to gather further information. If he garnered more information about the case, he passed it on to detectives.
He continued this type of volunteer work for many years until 2006. That year, he agreed to take on a new assignment as a Volunteer Coordinator, responsible for supervising other volunteers. He helped recruit, retain and reward police volunteers, and today we have 42 citizen volunteers working at the Police Department due to his leadership.
As he celebrates his 90th birthday, we would like to reflect on his other contributions to all Americans, not just those in his community. Please indulge us as we tell you his story. He is a retired U.S. Army Major who served with the 75th Infantry Division during the “Battle of the Bulge.” We asked Wally to tell us about his personal experience during such an important time in our history, as well as other aspects of his life. This is what he shared with us:
“My division landed in Wales in November of 1944. We crossed the English Channel and landed in France. We continued into Belgium and the Ardennes Forest. On December 10, 1944, we were attacked by German Panzer Forces, and the “Battle of the Bulge” began. I suffered a severe concussion from flying over one of our jeeps as a result of enemy artillery fire and was sent to the field hospital.
I was allowed to return to Paris, but I returned to my Unit, Co.L, 289th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division. I remained with my Unit through three major battles until January 1945. As a result of frozen feet and other injuries, I was carried off the front lines and taken to various field hospitals until I was transported to a hospital in Oxford, England, where I remained until May of 1945.
I was decorated with the European Theatre of Operation medal, three Battle Stars, the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
I was sent to Officer Candidate School in France and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Infantry. I spent a short time in Germany with the Occupation Forces that brought troops back to the US. I had 90 days of R&R and then returned to Europe with more Occupation Forces troops to Germany. Eventually, I was stationed in Paris, France, for 2 ½ years. I was decorated in Paris with the French Liberation Medal by the President of France.
I remained on active duty serving at Fort Lewis, Camp Cooke, and Camp Irwin. During the Korean War, I was sent to Korea, but when I arrived in Tokyo, I was re-assigned to the 8th Army in Yokohama and later to Camp Fuji.
I later left active duty and worked with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Superior Court. I retired from the Army with a combined Active Duty and Reserve time of 26 years. I also retired from the County of Los Angeles with 25 years of service.
My wife Hope and I came to Coeur d’Alene in 1981 and moved to Hayden in 1988. Presently, I have 14 years of service as a volunteer with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. I belong to the Military Officers of America (life member), the Reserve Officers of America (life member), the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (life member), and the Disabled American Veterans of America local chapter of Fort Sherman Post #9 (life member).”
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I finished this article by asking the community to wish Wally a happy birthday. If he were alive today, he would be 105. We could sure use him in these uncertain times. Godspeed Wally.
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Christie Wood (Veteran U.S. Air Force)
Board Member
Veteran for Idaho Voters www.v4iv.org