Rededication ceremony recognizes influential chief

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 319th Air Base Wing paused on May 30, 2012, to honor the memorable life of a husband, father, and Airman.

Chief Master Sgt. Harry W. Walker, who spent seven years stationed at Grand Forks, was remembered by a gathering of more than 250 family members, friends and Airmen during a re-dedication ceremony of the Walker Warrior Professional Development Center here.

Tracy Walker delivered an emotional speech, talking of her late husband and extending her gratitude to the kindness and support provided by the Airmen of the 319th ABW.

"You have shared meals with us, stopped by to check in on us, written us notes of encouragement, attended Bryce and Brady's special school and sporting events, recognized anniversary dates, mowed our yard, removed the snow, taken Bryce and Brady to do 'boy things,' listened, cried with us, laughed with us, vacationed with us, flew across the country to spend time with us, sympathized with us and empathized with us," Walker said. "Because of you, we found hope in the tomorrows."

The Honor Guard folded three U.S. flags and presented them to the Walker's sons, Bryce and Brady, and to Chief Walker's father, James, as part of the ceremony.

"We are so proud of the Air Force just as we were with our son," said James Walker. "I think Harry has really been honored in a great and mighty way."

Chief Walker arrived in Grand Forks in November of 2000 and was named the Air Mobility Command Outstanding Aircrew Life Support Senior NCO of the year the following year. He then graduated from the First Sergeant Academy in 2002 and was named Grand Forks' First Sergeant of the Year in 2003. Walker was serving as the base's career assistance advisor before his unexpected passing in 2007.

Originally dedicated May 30, 2008, the Walker Warrior Professional Development Center was re-dedicated now because "It is the right thing to do, to pay it forward," said Master Sgt. Ashley Williams, who with the help of Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Rose took the reins remodeling the Center.

The development center is designed to facilitate the transition of all first duty station Airmen a from techinical training to an operational one of mission readiness. Additionally, NCO and senior NCO professional enhancement courses take place here and professional development classes supporting all base personnel are conducted within the walls. In all, the establishment serves more than 1,500 Airmen annually.

"I could not allow someone to come into this building and not know why it was named after Chief Walker," said Williams, the career assistance advisor for the base. "It is to re-honor and recognize all he has done for Airmen and the Air Force."

Michael Rizzuto, 724th Special Tactics Group chief of staff, was on hand to pay his respects to Chief Walker - his former boss and the first-ever individual in the Life Support career field to work with the Group.

"Harry was a true professional," said Rizzuto, a retired senior master sergeant who served alongside Walker for more than a decade. "He always took care of me. That was his number one goal in life - taking care of people."