It is hard to choose which thought from U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class John Wayne Walding contained the most wisdom. His presentation at the Lake Country Neighbors Veterans Thank You last Tuesday was stirring, thoughtful, raw, joyful and brutally honest. It was a singularly-spectacular, personal talk.

An estimated 240 veterans attended the 11th Veterans Thank You. It was held at the excellent facilities of the Lake Fork Baptist Church. The day featured a delicious full-plate lunch with entertainment by the Farmer Family Band and contributions from several local organizations.

There were many gestures of patriotism at the well-orchestrated event, but it was the messaging of Walding which eclipsed all else.

By his own omission, Walding is a driven individual. The Groesbeck native skyrocketed to the very elite within the Special Forces. His service was storied, as indicated by the award of a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. 

It was, however, an ambush in the mountains of Afghanistan where his life changed. After having been ambushed on the side of a mountain in the Shok Valley, Walding had his right leg very nearly severed from gunfire. The story of the battle, his extraction from the battlefield and arrival to the Jalalabad Field Hospital is riveting.

His transition from life to near death, his personal battles in recovery, and finally his realization of just what his survival – and life itself – is about were offered with an easy, natural delivery which only reinforced the authenticity of his story. 

He described having that conversation with God as he started to fade. “I felt the hand of God on me,” he stated. He explained the choice he was forced to make in recovery: to continue taking a multitude of painkilling/mind-altering drugs or to choose the pain and remain fully engaged with his children. He explained the “bear hug of thank you” he received upon coming home and the amazing, positive effect it had on his recovery.

The soldier mindset remains just as sharp as ever. He stated frankly how, “We will never gain the favor of the Afghans…as their god rewards them for killing non-believers.” One of his favorite expressions, “Lean forward and fight hard,” appears to accurately describe his life and outlook.

Critical to his rebirth was an acceptance that the sacrifices of his brothers-in-arms, those who with him believe that protecting our freedoms in this country is necessary, must be honored through how he lived his life. That, explained Walding, came with an awakening that life is lived in the cathedral of God.  

His final summation was a challenge. He charged each person: a. Stop being good, start being great, b. be part of something bigger than you, and c. be worth the sacrifice.

The crowd of veterans was especially appreciative of Walding’s messaging and delivery. The seriousness of his presentation was a perfect finish to a day which started with light-hearted banter over lunch. 

Among those enjoying the lunch were Jack and Pat Neel. Jack was one of the original servicemen assigned with the 381st Bombing Squadron at the now-decommissioned Smoky Hill Air Force Base in Salina, Kan. The squadron adjutant, Neel chuckled at the squadron motto, “Be first with the 381st”.

Judy and Wendell Phillips also enjoyed the camaraderie. Wendell recalled how after he enlisted in the Army, they shipped him by train – his first train ride – to Fort Carson, Colo. A week later, they shipped him, again by train, to Fort Hood. When asked why, he responded with a laugh, “This is the Army.”

Navy veteran Gary Penny relayed how he was a flight engineer on a fully-loaded helicopter which crashed in the South China Sea.

“It was miraculous, but we got all everyone out, three crew and 14 passengers.” Penny also took the time to voice his appreciation for the continuing medical care that the VA has rendered he and his wife, Dana.

Perhaps the senior veteran in attendance was Bob Spearman. At a spry 93-years of age, Spearman took a few minutes to talk about enlisting in the Navy and shipping out in USS Hudson (DD 475), a Fletcher class destroyer, for service in the Pacific during World War Two. The Hudson earned nine battle stars in the Pacific War.

The Lake Country Neighbors 11th Veterans Thank You was an event that none will soon forget. It was a one-of-a-kind community celebration.