Reflections on Connie Walker
By Myrwood "Woody" Bagne
DEDICATION
To His Lord, his family, his church, his country, the soldier Connie would often quote General MacArthur's motto, "the corps, the corps." Connie's motto was, "the soldier, the soldier." Love always personalizes.
HUMOR
Connie has a marvelous sense of humor and an infectious laugh that "rattles the rafters." He has expressions and aphorisms that enliven any conversation or observation. It makes time spent with him memorable. He is a great story teller -- especially as it concerns "the greatest story ever told."
PRAYER
Connie is a man of prayer. As one of Connie's favorite teachers and authors, the late Dr. Gergard E. Frost, put it:
"Be still, and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10
Prayer?
What is it
but letting God be God,
letting him love you in your being
and in your becoming?
Prayer.
The stillness you know
when you wait because
your know Who waits
for you.
- Gerhard E. Frost: "Seasons of a Lifetime" (p. 102)
Augsburg Fortress, 1989
MENTOR/TEACHER
Connie was, and still is, a mentor to many younger chaplains as well as other officers and soldiers. His prayer breakfasts and Bible Studies have been legion.
DECORATIONS
I believe he and presidential aspirant, General Clark, have the same military (army) decorations: Silver Star, Bronze Star (a device for valor), and Purple Heart.
FAMILY MAN
His wife, Ann "Polish Power" Walker is the love of his life AND his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
WELL-EARNED "HANDLES" OR DESCRIPTIONS
"The Combat Chaplain." "The Leapin' Deacon." The fact that Connie jumped over 1,000 times evidences his dedication in getting up before "dawn's early light."
BOLDNESS
Blessed with physical and athletic gifts (collegiate football and boxing at the University of Washington) as well as emotional, mental, and spiritual gifts plus dedication have made him a Chaplain par excellence. He served with the 101st Airborne Brigade in Viet Nam. When one unit came "back" from combat, he would go out with the next one. He manifested great holiness in witnessing to and serving all from privates to generals. Many leaders in the army were converted during his ministry. We recall times with Connie and Ann at Fort Sill and Kaiserlautern, Germany. Connie would excuse himself to go and have devotions with the commanding general.
GRATEFUL
Connie is grateful for each day. Grateful for family, friends, church, and country. He is grateful to be able to serve. Upon his return from Viet Nam he spoke in Rochester, Minnesota. The local paper "headlined" his speach quoting him, "I served among Greatness."
When my wife and I and Ann saw Connie off at the Rochester, MN airport for his Viet Nam tour of duty, Connie took me aside and said, "Woody, if I should 'clobber in' while over there, I am so grateful because I have already lived three lifetimes." That was almost 40 years ago! Life is an adventure for Connie and it is an adventure in itself to know and love the man!
