Rotary Club of Walnut Grove Honors WWII "Devil's Brigade" Veteran

The Rotary Club of Walnut Grove was honored on April 20th with a visit from one of our own, William Slawson.  In fact he was the topic of our club meeting. 
Bill was 18 years old when he volunteered to be part of the First Special Service Force (FSSF) which consisted of 1800 soldiers from the U.S. and Canada.  The group was led by Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick, activated in 1942 and was known as "The Devil's Brigade" an elite unit of commandos. 

This past February the remaining members of the FSSF were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and presented by Speaker of the House John Boehner in Washington D.C.  42 of the FSSF attended the special day.  Bill was not able to attend the ceremony but members of his family were there to receive the award on his behalf

Over the years we have been privileged to have Bill as a member of our club.  He has contributed many hours of his talents to Rotary and has blessed us all with his stories and leading us in song with his harmonica and ukulele.

Walnut Grove salutes you, Sir.