How the Greatest Generation is inspiring the latest generation.
who he is Wally Richardson is a 95-year-old World War II Navy veteran who spends his morning's inspiring middle schoolers in El Dorado Hills, California. A retired pilot, Wally has made it his job for more than 20 years to school the students in something that’s not covered in class: love and kindness. Sitting with his schnauzer on the bench named for him in front of Marina Village Middle School, Wally waves at parents going by and greet students joyfully with advice such as “Never look down on anyone unless you’re helping them up.” His “Wally isms” are so popular that the kids engage in a call-and-response with him: “If Plan A doesn’t work,” Wally calls out, and the kids shout back on cue, “There are 25 other letters in the alphabet!”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
What prayer can do
POWER IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES
Rejoice in All Things
My husband and I had an annual tradition of celebrating the high points of the year. This time, he wanted to try something different
Special Delivery
A month after my wife died and my life felt so empty, the only thing I had to look forward to was Amazon
A Prayer for Cullen
Even in a family crisis, I had trouble quieting my mind enough to listen for God
Blackie & Rosebud
What would happen to my friend's cats now that she was gone?
The Kids Are Alright
My twin boys and I had always been close. I thought they needed me. Now I wasn't so sure
Kindred Spirits
I thought the nose ring gave it away—she was just another teenager. I couldn't imagine how she could help me
A Boy Named Sue
In 1969, Johnny Cash and his wife, June, threw a party at their house in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a “guitar pull,” where guests passed around a guitar and tried out new songs.
Active Duty
I'd tried everything for my knee - physical therapy, gel injections, a cumbersome brace. Everything except prayer
Living an Abundant Life
A conversation with spirituality and health researcher Harold G. Koenig, M.D., on what makes people truly happy