LIVINGSTON COUNTY
 

LIVINGSTON COUNTY VETERAN OF THE YEAR 2007

JIM WALLACE

of American Legion Post 419, Pinckney

Jim Wallace grew up in Dexter, Michigan, attended schools there, and graduated from Dexter High School in 1965.  He was drafted into the Army in the fall of 1966, and did his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  He was then sent to Fort Richardson, Alaska for advanced training, and remained there until he was discharged in the fall of 1968.  He worked as a personnel specialist, and helped to process soldiers out to Vietnam and return them home to the U.S.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Just before entering the Army, Jim married his high school girlfriend, Linda Brower, who had just graduated.  She accompanied him to Alaska during his military service, and they have remained married for 40 years.  Together they raised two daughters and a son, Angela Wallace who lives in Brighton, Alysha Garbacik who lives with her husband Rich in Howell, and Anthony Wallace who lives with his wife Marsha in Pinckney.  They have three grandchildren.  After military service Jim spent several years in jobs until in the fall of 1978 he began a 23 year career as a fire fighter for the City of Ann Arbor.  He retired from there in the fall of 2001 as the Assistant Chief of Operations.  During that time he completed education programs in Fire Science, Fire Staff and Command, and Paramedic training and is a certified Emergency Medical Technician.  He also taught Fire Brigade Training, First Aid, CPR, and other courses for fire stations and businesses throughout the area.

Jim has lived in the Pinckney area since 1970, and has been a charter member of the American Legion Post 419 in Pinckney since it was formed in 1973.  He is currently in his third consecutive term as commander, and previously served as finance officer for over 6 years, and in other post positions.  He is also currently an alternate advisory committeeman for the American Legion 6^th District of Michigan. In his three terms as commander Jim has helped to lead a post that was struggling and deteriorating in many ways back to a remodeled, financially solvent, and vibrant post of increasing members and many activities.  They have regained their standing and involvement in the community.  Instead of only being open for occasional meetings, they have recently opened the post on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 4 PM until closing later in the evening for members and their families to stop in and frequent as a club with drinks and food and activities.

Jim has served veterans and the community in many other ways, including assisting in putting on activities and fundraisers of many kinds, including classic car shows, golf outings, holiday events, every month spaghetti dinners, country breakfasts and dances.  Many of the funds and collected items from these events go to help veterans in VA hospitals, our troops in Iraq, homeless veterans, and others.  Jim also participates in military funerals, parades and ceremonies honoring veterans. In addition to all these volunteer functions and duties at the American Legion, in his retirement Jim likes to ride his Harley motorcycle, golf, travel, and spend time with his family and grandchildren. For all of his service to veterans, community and country the Livingston County Veterans Council, comprised of the 23 veterans and auxiliary organizations in the county, has elected Jim Wallace to be the Livingston County Veteran of the Year 2007.