News Chaser - Late Breaking Alerts & Notifications: Kenneth Dale Walls Jr. (1979-2012)

Our lives are made up of many memories, some good and some not so good. Some of those memories in later years bring back emotions of happiness, laughter, or even tears. We never really feel the need to place a value on those memories, until... they are all we are left with. Then, they become all important.

These memories listed here are but a few, in the short life of a 33 year old man. A man that meant so much to so many people, who now, find themselves at a place where memories are all we have. Our lives have been left with a void that can not be replaced. A void made by the sudden passing of a man that by all accounts, represented all things that hero's are known for and generations remember.

These memories are dedicated to SPC Kenneth Dale Walls Jr., U.S. Army, (SoldierWall.com), who was born April 11, 1979, in West Point, Mississippi. Ken's family included his mother, Peggy Hill Walls, his father, Kenneth Dale Walls, Sr. and one sister, which he adored, Christy Walls Bodenheimer. Ken passed away, on September 22, 2012. (see obituary)

The path that Ken chose and ultimately traveled through his life was filled with many of the same things that make each of us no different from the other, but for Ken, many of those "twist and turns", made his life very unique.

This man grew from a quiet, shy, little boy, who loved life and loved people. Ken was taught by his parents from an early age, about the love of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made, by laying down his life, for our sins so that we could spend eternity in Heaven with our Father.

Ken had a heart that gravitated toward people, of all kinds, but especially those who were in need, and of course, children. These attributes of selfless service were evident in his love for God, Country, and his fellow man.

As with us all, Ken's life was burdened along the way with the consequence of poor choices, regrets, and yes, even failures. His life was no different than our own. Somewhere along the way though, he was able to not only reflect on these short comings, but he always seemed to be able to learn a lesson in life.

You see, Ken never claimed to be perfect, he never claimed to be a Saint. He only proclaimed that he was saved by grace! That faith in God and the salvation he received, has now earned him his place in the kingdom of Heaven.

This boy grew into a strong young man that in a lot of ways, lived out a fairy tale story. One of finding his way, falling in love, and becoming a father. Ken would talk about this "girl" he had met, and although he very rarely smiled for photo ops, he would always grin from ear to ear when he would talk about her. Her name was Allyson Terry, and sure enough, he would later make this special girl his wife. On April 30, 2000 they were wed. After a story of "boy meets girl", they became, "husband and wife". Mrs. Allyson Terry Walls, gave Ken, according to him, "his greatest blessing"... three times over. A daughter, Kaelyn Michelle Walls and two sons, Kenneth Dale Walls, III. and Keegan Auddie Walls. Ken could hardly contain his emotion with the birth of each. In addition to all the other titles he had previously held over the coarse of his life, the years that followed completed him. Ken found his purpose, his calling, he was now a man that added the titles of husband and father. Ken loved his children with all his heart and they meant everything to him. As they now begin a life without him, I am sure he is standing watch over them.

In addition to his love for God and his love for family, Ken had a love for his country. So much so that I remember him making the statement that, "someday, I will wear that uniform... someday!". Ken did just that! Later, he took the following oath of enlistment into the Mississippi Army National Guard and he dedicated his life to upholding it.

I, Kenneth Dale Walls Jr., do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

His name, rank, and serial number became forever archived in the books of our nations history along side so many other American patriots. His noble and selfless service carried him from that of civilian to proudly wearing the uniform of a United States Army soldier, for sixteen years. These years of service saw many months of separation from his family, many hardships, and many sacrifices, not only for him but for his family. Ken, again, who rarely smiled for a photo op, gleamed with pride through all of it. His travels carried him to many military training installations inside the boarders of the United States, that he loved so much. This training would soon be put to the ultimate test, not once, but three different times during his life. Ken had love for his country and complete devotion to the Soldiers Creed, which he lived by...

I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.

This creed echoed in his ears as he boarded a plane, three times, Honduras, Germany, and Iraq, in defense of this nation, with the desire to help those less fortunate, and to lend a helping hand to people he had never met. Each time, he kissed his precious family good bye, held his shoulders high, and as his eyes filled with tears, watched out the window as his beloved United States became but a speck against the vast oceans he would cross. You see, this is the heart of a soldier. Deployments into some of the harshest environments one could ever imagine, looking down into the eyes of human atrocity, poverty, and even death.

Through it all, Ken seemed to find the things that mattered most, and it was not the sacrifice he had to make. His thoughts were of his wife and kids sruggling at home with his absence. Ken also looked into the eyes of the people that called these foreign lands, home, the men, women and children caught in the middle of war and hunger. Those without food, water, clothing, or shelter. Yes, he vowed to protect America and all it's people, but these were people too, people that he had never known existed until that moment. They became his passion and he thought nothing of putting his life in harms way for them. Ken had a heart that made him special, it made him shine, it made him easy to be loved.

I can only hope that someday, his children will understand just how great of a man, "Daddy", truly was. In his short 33 years on this earth, he lived, he loved, and he served. Ken did it with devotion, with passion, with commitment, and reslove. It is my desire, through these rambling words and images, we remember the American Hero, SPC Kenneth Dale Walls Jr., for the example he set for us all, and the legacy he left behind.

The bar has been set high, for all who follow behind him...

To my brother, this is not good bye. You will be missed and our hearts are heavy with grief, but our lives were all made richer by having known you.

For all that you were and all that you forever will be, we salute you!

I pray that your wife, children, mother, father, and sister will find comfort in God and that he will console the aching hearts that they now carry.

May you find rest now, our weary soldier, in the arms of our Heavenly Father. My brother, "Shine Down" upon us until we meet again...

U.S. Army, Be Proud!

HUAH!!!

"THE FINAL INSPECTION"

The soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass, He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?" The soldier squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't, Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough, And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep, And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here, They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears. If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand, I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand." There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod, As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, you soldier, You've borne your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell."

Forever a Hero: Family Remembers Life of SPC4 Ken Walls, Jr. - Daily Times Leader