seruriermarshal
05-29-2004, 02:54 PM
Highland High honors alumnus-Marine killed in Iraq remembered
Marine killed in Iraq remembered
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Saturday, May 29, 2004.
By DEBRA LEMOINE
Valley Press Staff Writer
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PALMDALE - When Allan Walker was a teenager at Highland High School, he was the type of student everyone could relate to - scholar, athlete, punk rocker and troublemaker.
Ten years later his alma mater made him the center of their Memorial Day services on Friday morning. Walker, a staff sergeant for the U.S. Marine Corps, was killed in combat in Ramadi, Iraq, on April 6 - three days before his 29th birthday. Walker was the first Antelope Valley resident killed in combat in Iraq.
"Allan Walker was an unlikely hero," said Jim Root, who taught him algebra in the ninth grade.
The first time Root introduced Walker to his wife at the AV Mall, Walker wore his hair in 9-inch spikes and wore black boots and long black shorts. He had silver chains and spikes connected to every piece of his clothing.
"The older women in the mall held their purses a little tighter as this crazy-looking kid walked by," he said. "Today those same women are thankful that America can produce the type of young man Allan became."
Walker was far from a perfect student. His father, Ken Walker, said he didn't walk across the stage with his graduating class - the class of 1993 and the first class to graduate from Highland. Walker failed senior English and had to take it again at a continuation school. His senior English grades also meant he couldn't go directly to college, so he went into the military instead.
Failing English - his favorite subject - was the best thing that happened to him, his father said.
"If he had gotten a courtesy 'C,' then he would have spent the rest of his life thinking he could get by on his charm," Ken Walker said. "He would have failed out of college."
Miguel Rios, a security guard at Highland, said he liked Walker, even though Walker spent a lot of time in detention and Rios had to reprimand him for breaking school rules.
"In this job, you see kids in life go from teenager to young adult," Rios said. "We saw Walker go from a teenager to a young adult to a man all in four years. I think that's why he stood out."
Ironically, Walker, who challenged the discipline of his teachers, became a drill sergeant who instilled discipline and honor in his boots.
Walker's mother Nancy remembers talking to the men trained by Walker. Officers and enlistees alike were thankful for Walker's instruction. Rita Jerabeck called Nancy to tell her that her son Ryan had made sure to introduce her to Walker when Ryan graduated from boot camp, even though Walker wasn't Ryan's instructor.
"They ended up together in the same unit and dying on the same day," Nancy Walker said.
Highland High School holds several patriotic services during the school year, including observations for Sept. 11, Veterans Day and Freedom Day. For Memorial Day, the Highland choir sang and the Bulldog Band played songs for the services. A wreath was laid for all veterans who died in battle. The school's Junior ROTC raised the U.S. flag and stood at attention during the ceremony.
"I ask the young people out here to think about what you will be doing this weekend," said Vice Principal Kevin Wassner. "When you think about these things and your plans for this weekend, remember the reason you can enjoy these freedoms is because of the 1 million people who have given their life."
Shirley Wang, 16, said she doesn't believe the United States is in Iraq for the right reasons. However, she still supports the sacrifice the troops are making and liked the school's ceremony.
"We're not just getting three days off," she said. "We're actually remembering the men who are fighting for our freedom."
Another student said Walker died with honor and she was glad the school memorialized him.
"Even though we didn't get to know him, he did go to Highland," said Claudia Lopez, 17. "It's part of a family in a way."
The Marine Corps Honor Guard from the reserve center in Pasadena gave a 21-gun salute to Walker. Highland band students Anastasia Hernandez and Tim Gardner played taps.
A rosebush that will someday blossom peach roses representing dedication and honor was planted in the school's memorial rose garden for Walker. Walker's rosebush joins others in what is becoming a crowded memorial for students and teachers from the school who have died.
A plaque memorializing Walker will permanently hang in the school's lobby.
The plaque includes a quote by poet Rudyard Kipling, who lost his son in battle during World War I: "Humble because of knowledge, Mighty by sacrifice."
Root said these words were selected for many reasons, but he hopes those words will speak to students at the school now and in the future.
"Those who will never have the opportunity to know him may perhaps wonder who was Allan K. Walker and who was this Kipling guy," Root said. "It is my hope that some of you today and some of those in the future will be inspired to read the words of those authors that molded the life of this American hero, Allan Walker."
From (http://www.avpress.com/n/sasty1.hts)
Marine killed in Iraq remembered
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Saturday, May 29, 2004.
By DEBRA LEMOINE
Valley Press Staff Writer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PALMDALE - When Allan Walker was a teenager at Highland High School, he was the type of student everyone could relate to - scholar, athlete, punk rocker and troublemaker.
Ten years later his alma mater made him the center of their Memorial Day services on Friday morning. Walker, a staff sergeant for the U.S. Marine Corps, was killed in combat in Ramadi, Iraq, on April 6 - three days before his 29th birthday. Walker was the first Antelope Valley resident killed in combat in Iraq.
"Allan Walker was an unlikely hero," said Jim Root, who taught him algebra in the ninth grade.
The first time Root introduced Walker to his wife at the AV Mall, Walker wore his hair in 9-inch spikes and wore black boots and long black shorts. He had silver chains and spikes connected to every piece of his clothing.
"The older women in the mall held their purses a little tighter as this crazy-looking kid walked by," he said. "Today those same women are thankful that America can produce the type of young man Allan became."
Walker was far from a perfect student. His father, Ken Walker, said he didn't walk across the stage with his graduating class - the class of 1993 and the first class to graduate from Highland. Walker failed senior English and had to take it again at a continuation school. His senior English grades also meant he couldn't go directly to college, so he went into the military instead.
Failing English - his favorite subject - was the best thing that happened to him, his father said.
"If he had gotten a courtesy 'C,' then he would have spent the rest of his life thinking he could get by on his charm," Ken Walker said. "He would have failed out of college."
Miguel Rios, a security guard at Highland, said he liked Walker, even though Walker spent a lot of time in detention and Rios had to reprimand him for breaking school rules.
"In this job, you see kids in life go from teenager to young adult," Rios said. "We saw Walker go from a teenager to a young adult to a man all in four years. I think that's why he stood out."
Ironically, Walker, who challenged the discipline of his teachers, became a drill sergeant who instilled discipline and honor in his boots.
Walker's mother Nancy remembers talking to the men trained by Walker. Officers and enlistees alike were thankful for Walker's instruction. Rita Jerabeck called Nancy to tell her that her son Ryan had made sure to introduce her to Walker when Ryan graduated from boot camp, even though Walker wasn't Ryan's instructor.
"They ended up together in the same unit and dying on the same day," Nancy Walker said.
Highland High School holds several patriotic services during the school year, including observations for Sept. 11, Veterans Day and Freedom Day. For Memorial Day, the Highland choir sang and the Bulldog Band played songs for the services. A wreath was laid for all veterans who died in battle. The school's Junior ROTC raised the U.S. flag and stood at attention during the ceremony.
"I ask the young people out here to think about what you will be doing this weekend," said Vice Principal Kevin Wassner. "When you think about these things and your plans for this weekend, remember the reason you can enjoy these freedoms is because of the 1 million people who have given their life."
Shirley Wang, 16, said she doesn't believe the United States is in Iraq for the right reasons. However, she still supports the sacrifice the troops are making and liked the school's ceremony.
"We're not just getting three days off," she said. "We're actually remembering the men who are fighting for our freedom."
Another student said Walker died with honor and she was glad the school memorialized him.
"Even though we didn't get to know him, he did go to Highland," said Claudia Lopez, 17. "It's part of a family in a way."
The Marine Corps Honor Guard from the reserve center in Pasadena gave a 21-gun salute to Walker. Highland band students Anastasia Hernandez and Tim Gardner played taps.
A rosebush that will someday blossom peach roses representing dedication and honor was planted in the school's memorial rose garden for Walker. Walker's rosebush joins others in what is becoming a crowded memorial for students and teachers from the school who have died.
A plaque memorializing Walker will permanently hang in the school's lobby.
The plaque includes a quote by poet Rudyard Kipling, who lost his son in battle during World War I: "Humble because of knowledge, Mighty by sacrifice."
Root said these words were selected for many reasons, but he hopes those words will speak to students at the school now and in the future.
"Those who will never have the opportunity to know him may perhaps wonder who was Allan K. Walker and who was this Kipling guy," Root said. "It is my hope that some of you today and some of those in the future will be inspired to read the words of those authors that molded the life of this American hero, Allan Walker."
From (http://www.avpress.com/n/sasty1.hts)