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    Sports Medicine Facility dedicated to fallen Marine

    Sports medicine facility dedicated to fallen Marine

    Photo By Cpl. Bridget Keane | (Left to right) Jeff Harper, president of Harper Construction Company Inc., Kenneth...... read more read more

    SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

    05.10.2012

    Story by Lance Cpl. Bridget Keane 

    Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego   

    SAN DIEGO - Applause filled the air as a red ribbon was cut, indicating the opening of Walker Hall at a ceremony dedicated to Staff Sgt. Allan K. Walker, May 10 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

    Walker Hall is the first stand-alone, Marine Corps funded, sports-medicine facility devoted to the rehabilitation of injured recruits. The two-story building contains a revolutionary rehabilitation gym and several certified athletic trainers, including two sports-medicine physicians and an orthopedic-trained physician’s assistant.

    “This building is about life,” said Nancy Walker, the staff sergeant’s mother. “It’s about overcoming a setback and achieving your dreams, I’m so proud to have my son associated with such a positive thing.”

    Allan Walker was an anti-tank assaultman that requested and received orders to be a drill instructor aboard MCRD San Diego. Allan Walker graduated from Drill Instructor School, class 1-01, May 2001 and was assigned to Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, where he trained more than 460 recruits through nine consecutive training cycles.

    Over the two years he served as a drill instructor and senior drill instructor, Allan Walker instilled in his recruits the positive traits he exemplified on a daily basis and his love for the Marine Corps.

    “Being a drill instructor re-enforced his calling to be a Marine,” explained Nancy Walker, a 61-year-old, Palmdale, Calif., native. “He always wanted a challenge, whether it was physical or mental.”

    In January 2004, Allan Walker hung up his campaign cover and returned to the fleet for his duties as a platoon sergeant for Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. His battalion deployed in February of that year.

    Allan Walker was killed in action April 6, 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom outside of Ramadi, Iraq.

    August 2011, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Amos, gave permission to name the sports-medicine facility after Allan Walker.

    “It’s an incredible honor and spirit lifter,” said Nancy Walker. “Something so good can come from something so tragic.”

    What makes Walker Hall so unique is how energy-efficient it is. It’s been given the highest rating of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design according to U.S. Green Building Council standards, which is platinum.

    “Walker Hall is equipped with solar panels on the roof, a recyclable water-filtration system, natural day lighting as well as many other energy-efficient materials,” said Jeff Harper, president, Harper Construction Company Inc.

    The project of Walker Hall started January 2012 and was finished in less than two years. The building provides itself with the energy-saving resources that it needs in order to operate, explained Harper.

    A bronze plaque proudly displayed on the wall outside of Walker Hall was unveiled by Nancy Walker, her husband Kenneth Walker, and Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general, MCRD San Diego and Western Recruiting Region.

    “This is just a small token of our appreciation for your sacrifice,” said Yoo, during his speech to the family and friends of Allan Walker.

    Walker Hall will provide recruits with the hope to finish recruit training and become a Marine, explained Nancy Walker.

    “I’m thankful for this facility,” said Nancy Walker. “It will give these young men who stepped up to serve their country a second chance to succeed in becoming a Marine.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.10.2012
    Date Posted: 05.22.2012 12:50
    Story ID: 88789
    Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US

    Web Views: 512
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN