Wally Ohler is used to sending boxes – lots of care packages to special people all over the world, 162 countries. Ohler has lots of friends; the VFW, American Legion, private citizens, school kids, moms and dads who help sending those boxes. The care packages can only be sent through the United States Post Office in specially made and marked boxes specifically labeled APO or FPO. The Army Post Office serves the Army and the Air Force and the Fleet Post Office serves the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Wally has been sending boxes to the men and women who wear the uniforms of the United States military so they know they are not forgotten and that folks here at home appreciate what they do.
JAG officer, Captain Allison Barbo, USAF, has been receiving boxes from Wally and her mom, Barb Barbo and the family for quite some time. Capt. Allison Barbo has been collecting the goodies she received in Okinawa. This past Christmas Allison took her treats to the chaplains and through them shared with as many airman and corpsman as the little stash could reach. It wasn’t the packaged cookies, toothpaste, crackers, hard candies that made it special; it was the box that was sent from home. Love is packed into every corner of the box soaking right through the cardboard. Sent from home with love. That box of goodies reached much further than the small size would have many believe. It touched a lot of service folks so much that Capt. Barbo sent a thank you note telling about all who shared. She also sent back a few snacks from Okinawa where Sgt. Walter Ohler, USMC, served for at time during the Viet Nam war.
Wally Ohler’s basement is filled with thank you tokens large and small. The walls are hung with service patches, unit patches, and pictures. Wally pointed out a small picture of Joe Flynn, a Youngstown native known for his portrayal of “Ol’ Lead Bottom” Capt. Binghamton in the 60’s sitcom McHale’s Navy. Joe Flynn was one of the few entertainers who went to the forward lines to entertain the troops in Nam. Wally has boots, uniform hats, unit flags and uniforms from both fathers and sons that Wally has touched in his efforts to let every service man or woman and veteran know that their service has not been forgotten.
Wally talks about the treasures that flank the basement walls. “We’ve sent out hundreds of boxes, all over the world. Our service men and women appreciate the cards and letters, from school children. There is one veteran who would love to find the school child that wrote the letter that he kept and read often. The school child, now an adult, saved his life. That letter and the Rosary sent from St. Albert’s Rosary Makers, he said, gave him strength and comfort when he was in the hot zones in the Gulf War.”
“Every one of these items has a story and a service man or woman behind it. Some did not come home and the items were sent by their families. I don’t know the man or woman but they are family to me,” said Ohler.
Wally works closely with the veterans groups and others that raise money for the postage to send care boxes. “I get names from all over, and I will never turn away a request. We are supposed to take care of each other and do-good in the world. They all love the cards and special ‘hugs’ sent from school kids and young folks. It touches their hearts.”
Wally Ohler, Veteran’s Liaison, can be reached at nrvets@northroyalton.org or 440-237-5686 ext. 101. You will never receive a call to solicit, you will never get an envelope in the mail, you will never get a flag to sign and send back. You will get in contact with Wally Ohler. Remember our service people and veterans, always be faithful – Semper Fi.
By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer