The Air Force veteran and longtime United Way donor shares lessons in duty and giving back
For Veterans Day, United Way of Central Indiana would like to honor and thank individuals who served their country through military service. We asked longtime donor and Zionsville resident, Frank D. Walker, captain in the Air Force from 1958-1960 and chairman emeritus of Walker Information, to reflect on his service, patriotism and dedication to giving back.
“On Veterans Day, there are a couple of things I think about. One, I find myself reflecting on my experience and reliving it. It goes into two categories: the crazy, stupid, silly things, and some pretty serious things that went on,” said Frank.
Frank served during the Cold War when Russia brought missiles into Cuba, and he reflected on that time. “I remember being awakened in the middle of the night after a man was shot down over Russia. To get a call and have your commander say, ‘We’re yellow,’ and to respond, ‘Sir, I think you mean lemon juice,’ only to hear, ‘No, I mean yellow,’ was serious,” said Frank. Frank went on to explain that he and his fellow comrades played war all the time to prepare for actual war. “You never said ‘red’ or ‘yellow,’ you said ‘lemon juice’ or ‘apple jack.’ When it turned to yellow, there was a real seriousness to that because it meant war was imminent.”
Frank continued to share some silly service moments. “One night during a blizzard, we had a general visiting, and a soldier in the motor pool decided he’d spend the whole night in a bulldozer keeping the road clear in case the general wanted to leave.” Nobody was going anywhere. Finally, the general called and said, “Who’s this idiot out there going by my room all the time?” They got him to stop, but while putting the bulldozer away, he knocked down a cable, and part of the radio system went out in the storm. “That’s a typical silly service thing,” added Frank.
Frank talked about his deeply held belief that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to their country.
“My mother said when we take from the community, we must give back to the community; that’s the whole idea of United Way of Central Indiana,” he said.
Whether through military service or volunteering with organizations like United Way of Central Indiana, Frank feels people have a responsibility to find ways to serve others.
“As a group, veterans are very proud that they served,” said Frank. He reflected that veterans do not have to worry that they didn’t serve and love their country and neighbors, because they did. And that commitment to giving back remains an important part of veterans’ identity.
Frank credits much of his understanding of service to his mother. His father passed away when he turned 17, and she wrote him a letter on his 18th birthday that he keeps today.
Recalling his mother's letter, Frank said, “It opens with the fact that 'we always celebrated your birthday on Dec. 31, and for this one your father is gone, and this will be the first birthday without him." Then the letter reads, “A week from Monday you'll go to the principal's office at Broad Ripple High School and sign up to register for the draft.” Then, she explains what an honor it is that you are going to do that.”
For Frank, that word, "honor,” captured how his generation viewed service and responsibility.
Frank mentioned he and his wife, Jane, were discussing what it was like growing up during World War II, when service extended far beyond those in uniform.
As a child, Jane remembered most going grocery shopping with her mom and ripping out the little coupons from ration books for 1 pound of sugar and other grocery items.
Frank also went door to door with a wagon, collecting scrap metal from neighbors' garages for the war effort, while his mother volunteered with the Red Cross.
“We were involved,” he said. Here added, “I have memories of my mom in her Red Cross uniform at Union Station, and trains were coming through; everything was the war effort, the whole country. It was a very unifying time.”
When asked how people can honor veterans today, Frank's answer was simple.
“Just having someone acknowledge that you did serve,” he said. “Just a call. Say a prayer for them. You as an individual show appreciation for a person who has served.”
Looking back on his military service, Frank says the experience taught him leadership and life skills that stayed with him long after his years in uniform.
“The things I learned running a base exchange with two civilian employees, I was the rat control officer, Red Cross liaison officer, bearer of difficult news and the things I learned are valuable today.”
Frank believes every generation lives through its own uncertainties. For Frank, his memories reinforce an enduring belief: service, community involvement and caring for one another remain as important today as ever. And this is reflected in his and Jane’s commitment to community and generosity today.
Thank you for your service, Frank D. Walker, and to all who serve this great country!