Many people in North Royalton do not know who Wally Ohler is. Before Memorial Day 2015, I was in that group. Now, I’m glad to know him.
Wally and “his band of angels” help members of the military, both from North Royalton and well beyond the city limits. Plus, Wally helps family members of those in military service.
I met Wally Ohler at the Memorial Day Service in front of North Royalton City Hall this past May. I was struck by his passion for those who serve our country, past and present and their families. I remember thinking if I were a soldier thousands of miles away from home, I would draw comfort from that band of angels.
You may ask yourself what kind of help from a guy in North Royalton, albeit a Vietnam War Vet, can provide to today’s servicemen and women? Plenty.
This is the time of year when Wally and his angels start to put together “care packages” for those in the military and for families. “Every package includes love, kindness, prayers and blessings,” said Wally. Also included are the day-to-day items that soldiers need. “Foot powder, hand sanitizers, boxes of tissues, cookies, containers of Crystal Light.”
Plus, Wally collects non-perishable food items and gift cards that are given not only to the North Royalton Food Bank, but to military families. “That’s to insure that everyone who may be dealing with a lot at this time of year has one less thing to worry about.”
Included in those care packages are cards and letters written by the students at St. Albert the Great School. The rosary-makers at the Parish contribute their handiwork as well. For those in Afghanistan, Syria, Korea, Okinawa and the Middle East, to those who are not on the front line and to their families, “These acts of kindness mean so much. We touch their hearts whether it’s at home or around the world,” said Ohler.
I asked Ohler how he got started with his crusade and why he cares so much. Wally related a story about his returning home following his service in the Vietnam War. “We weren’t treated very well. Somebody even stole my car. I didn’t want anyone else returning home to go through that.”
To that end, Ohler finally received that welcome home from Vietnam that he so richly deserved. On Saturday October 24, at the MAPS Air Museum at the Akron-Canton Airport, Wally and other veterans who served in the Korean and Vietnam War were welcomed back home to the United States and honored for their military service.
And Wally is teaching the next generation of Americans not to forget those who serve. He has spoken to youngsters at Albion School, at St. Albert’s close to Veterans Day about how their cards and letters touch the hearts of servicemen and women.
How can you help Wally help those in the military and their families? Collection points for those who want to donate non-perishable food items are at the Royalton Recorder Office, at 13737 State Road, at A to Z Auto Service, located at 13747 State Road or at Royal Pizzeria at 12971 State Road. If you want to include the foot powder, hand sanitizers, boxes of tissues, I’m sure Wally won’t mind.
Ohler told me that I’m now included in his band of angels. I wear that title proudly. You should do the same.
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Another way North Royalton is showing support for those in the military is with the Quilt of Valor from St. Albert the Great Church. The quilts are given to the men/women who have served our country and have seen combat. The next presentation of five quilts, in honor of Veterans Day, will take place during the 12:30 p.m. Mass on Sunday, November 8.
(Photo: Wally Ohler (right) with John Latchaw, Sr., received a belated welcome home from Vietnam at the MAPS Air Museum.)
By Joe Jastrzemski
Contributing Writer