Page 98 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2022 - Online Magazine

Colonel Gary R. Wallace
or over three decades,
defending our nation
Ffrom enemies foreign and
domestic was the purpose and
privilege of Colonel (Retired)
Gary R. Wallace. Col. Wallace
acknowledges God’s intervention
in ordering his steps and purpose.
While Col. Wallace was in defense
of our nation, God was defending
the colonel. “My entire
career was a humbling
experience. Being given the
privilege to serve this great
country and the Christian
values it was founded upon
was a great honor.” It was
“clearly God’s will for my
life.”
From the pastures of
the Bar W Ranch to the
Pentagon, Gary’s destiny
was determined early in
his life. “Growing up on a
ranch helped prepare me
for many things I had to
98 Lubbock Senior Link
Retired His Position
on Defense
by Barbara Mandry
do in the Army.” From Seconds Over Tokyo. “Almost
driving cattle, caring for exclusively, I selected historical
animals, cultivating fields, non-fiction books. The lessons
maintaining equipment, learned from such books about
welding, and mending our military history further
fences, Gary received a inspired me to serve, and I believe
country-life apprenticeship. helped prepare me for a military
“Raising and taking care career.”
of animals, I learned
some principles about Gary’s dad served in the Navy
how to be responsible for during WWII. His stories of
and take care of people, teamwork inspired Gary. “The
a critical part of being a Navy was part of an even bigger
leader in the military.” team: all the other branches of
Ranch life was like basic the U.S. Armed Forces, which
training. “Growing up on together defended our freedom
1320 acres, I was able to and our nation before, during,
hunt and learned to shoot and after WWII.” Divine
rifles, shotguns, pistols … inspiration also led Gary. “I
a skill valuable to every believe God absolutely controlled
serviceman.” every aspect of my military career,
everything from the original
Military life was appealing desire to be in the military” to
to Gary as early as Junior other vital roles. A Tarleton ROTC
High School. Instead of program, an effort to become a
riding the bus home after school, Navy F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot,
Gary would go to the Stephenville a commissioned Infantry Officer,
Library and read books about an Explosive Ordnance Disposal
the military. “I checked out Officer, and a Chemical Corps
books about WWI and WWII Officer were all roles Gary credits
and would read in the library God for providing. “I realized that
until my mother picked me up my role was controlled by God
after her work.” He read books and my duty to the Army, my
like Guadalcanal Diary and Thirty country, and God was to perform
my duties in every assignment …
to the best of my ability as if I was
doing it for Jesus.” “Whatever you
do, work at it with all your heart, as
working for the Lord” Col.3:23.
When Col. Wallace retired after
30+ years of service, he was
serving as Chief of Staff, US Army
Maneuver Support Center, Ft.
Leonard Wood, Missouri; he had
served in leadership positions in
Maryland, Utah, Texas, Arkansas,
Indiana, Kansas, Alabama,
Tennessee, Missouri, Europe, and
the Pentagon. These leadership
opportunities “were the basis of