Wally Stone, who recently stepped down as commander of American Legion Post 79, by his count, has attended thousands of Connecticut veteran funerals over the years.

“And, I recently figured out that I’ve been to about 80 different cemeteries in Middlesex and New Haven counties,” says Wally, who hasn’t left a recent bout with hip replacement surgery slow him from his duties honoring his fellow veterans at funerals and parades.

“These guys served their country with honor and distinction. The least I or anyone else can do is make sure they get a proper and respectful burial,” says Wally.

Wally has juggled the responsibility of handling the Color Guard for area veterans at military funerals while continuing to work full time as sexton and 47-year member of the First Congregational Church of Madison on Bradley Road.

Have someone in your life that does so much for others and always does it with a smile—that is Wally,” says Donna Farrell, fellow veteran and president of The Women’s Club of Madison.

Farrell says as Madison gets ready to remember and honor those who served on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, there is no one better to honor than Wally.

“His passion for the American Legion is unparalleled. Even while in pain, awaiting a hip replacement, he would do numerous military funerals as part of the Color Guard,” says Farrell.

“After the replacement, he was back out there, making sure his fellow comrades were laid to rest properly,” Farrell continues. “He’s my hero. I am so honored to be a part of the American Legion in Madison and to have served with Commander Stone.”

Wally, 64, served in the Navy “during the Vietnam era, but not in Vietnam” from 1969 to 1974. Most of that, he says, was aboard Navy ships in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Black Sea.

Back in Madison, Wally says one of the reasons he has stepped down as American Legion commander is the difficulty he had in juggling the responsibilities of the position and his full-time work at the church—though, he is quick to point out, “The church has been very accommodating in allowing me to attend to the funerals and other duties” the commander’s responsibilities entail.

Those duties, besides coordinating funeral arrangements, also entail organizing and planning the annual Memorial Day parade in Madison.

Wally’s wife, Marcia, also works at the church. He chuckled when he asked what he liked to do in his spare time.

“I don’t have a lot of that,” says Wally. “Up until the hip surgery I used to play a lot of hockey.”

Wally says while there are other responsibilities involved in being commander of the American Legion, attending funerals is the primary one.

One of the biggest changes Wally says he has noticed the past several years is that “unfortunately, the World War II generation has or is dying off. Now most of the funerals I go to are for Vietnam and Korean War veterans who are hitting their 70s,” says Wally.

Wally says he’s never really added up all the funerals attended.

“Let’s just say it’s about one day a day, 300 a year, 2,500 over the course of my life.”

The aging of the war veterans is one reason why Wally feels it is important that the town of Madison—and its school system—continue the tradition of having veterans attend school on Veterans Day and talk to children about the historical conflicts the country has been involved in, and the part Madison soldiers have played in those conflicts.

“The school system really does a great job with making sure the kids understand the significance of these wars,” says Wally. Participating in school programs “is something that I am very proud to be a part of.”

The American Legion Post 79 is located on Bradley Road. For more information, visit www.americanlegionpost79ct.com or call 203-245-1533.