Public Information

Name

Waara, Ralph

Class

2005

Biography

(1928-2017) Born in Paynesville, Michigan, in 1928. Enlisted in U.S. Army, served in Vietnam, retired Lieutenant Colonel in 1972. Returned to St. Ignace, Michigan in insurance sales. Joined U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, attaining Division Captain, served 21 years. Started Disabled American Veterans in the area. Served twelve years on the planning commission and twenty years on the county veterans’ service commission. Founded a Red Cross Chapter, providing the first ambulance service and EMT training in the city. Retired to Arizona in 1994. Served as State and National Western Region Commander of Military Order of the Purple Heart. Took charge of Purple Heart Trail signs for Interstate 40 and secured funding for the Purple Heart Memorial at Wesley Bolin Plaza. Served as a member of the Arizona Veterans’ Service Advisory Commission and its Joint Legislative Study Committee on Veteran Facilities.