Much Obliged

Uncle Leland in his U.S. Army uniform. My full name is Leland LeRoy Walls, named after my Uncle Leland Douglas. Uncle Leland served in World War II earning 5 bronze stars, a silver star, Good Conduct Metal and the Purple Heart award. 

Photo courtesy of

  
Margaret Walls  

Written by 
LeRoy Walls 
CEO 

They come in all shapes and sizes. Some may even consider them a thing of beauty - - but when the 40 or so Sophomore men wearing their Reserve Office Training Corp (ROTC) uniforms looked to me for their first move - - I was struck with terror!

It wasn’t that I didn’t understand the commands or couldn’t, at least normally, think far enough ahead to anticipate foot placement for issuing needed commands. My only two problems were that initially I almost lost my voice and apparently lost any ability to think clearly.

Being a shy farm boy I often avoided being in school plays or doing up front speaking. Still I occasionally had to present something at my church and was the Future Farmers of America (FFA) president my senior year in High School. I managed to get through regular FFA meetings and even the banquet with some nervousness but without any real failure.

In front of the ROTC cadets I was unable to stop the sudden rush of fear. At first I sounded like someone had stuffed my mouth half-full of the dry cottonballs we used to spit shine our black military oxfords. My mind seemed to go into overload and came close to shutdown.

I did give a squeaky "atten-shun" command and generally put them through the required commands. I didn’t run them out into any city streets but I don’t believe the word "crisp" would ever be used to describe my commands. It was a lesson in leadership but certainly not from the ideal perspective as I finally got them back to home base and issued the "Halt" command. I’m sure that no one was more relieved than I to hear my final "at ease" command - - in a voice that was starting to sound a little more like LeRoy.

I was thankful it was over and glad I didn’t command them to go left and then follow my true desire of then running to the right as fast as I could go. Like many of life’s difficult tasks I did the best I could at that moment and muddled through it. ROTC at Southwest Missouri State, where I attended college in the 1960’s, was a two year requirement at that time.

After ROTC class I started walking back toward my apartment - sure that no one would join me. Then I was hailed to "wait up" by Frank Ivey who often walked back to campus with me.

I had met Frank my freshman year. He was a friend of my Cabool friend - Craig Peabody. Both were on football scholarship and lived in the athletic dorm - or "jock house" as we called it. I always admired Frank because of his self-confidence and decency. Even though he was bright and athletic, he never "put on airs" as my mom would say. My sophomore and junior years Frank and I were in Calculus classes together. He often came over to my apartment to study before tests.

On this spring walk, Frank acted as if everything was normal and okay with the world and this seemed to include me. No mention was made of my embarrassing ROTC performance whatsoever. He was a big guy anyway but on this particular day Frank Ivey stood taller to me than anyone I had ever known. Frank was big enough, self-confidence wise, to accept me as I am with my imperfections.

I didn’t have any more classes with Frank my senior year and haven’t seen him since college. Like many other individuals in my life who gave me courage or was a friend to me - - Frank never got any special thanks.

Recently I wrote some appreciative words about a woman that I admired and respected. The only problem was that she died before I finished writing down what a fine friend and neighbor she was. I had to give my comments to her children. Perhaps I’m the only one that does this but it reminded me that I’ve got a bunch of overdue thank you’s.

So Frank Ivey of Lebanon, Missouri - - wherever you are today - this big "MUCH OBLIGED" is for you!

Author’s Note:
In case you wonder how my public speaking has fared since college here’s my status: I’m rarely nervous speaking to the 100+ Woodpro team and slightly nervous speaking at local Kiwanis’ meetings.

12/31/1999