Bill Welker '51 receives Halverson Award

Presented at Veteran's Day Assembly

Beloved former faculty member Russ Kubiak and Head of School Norm Colb presented the Halverson Award on November 7, 2007 to Col. William H. Welker, Menlo School Class of '51. The Award was presented at Menlo's Veteran's Day Assembly, to reflect Bill Welker's 50 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. Current faculty member and fellow veteran Robin McGlohn introduced Bill, after sharing the importance and honor of serving your country. A Menlo School student opened the ceremony by playing the National Anthem on his trumpet. It was a wonderful tribute to Fred Halverson, and the alumni award he created "in recognition of those who distinguished themselves in their lives and share the dedication to Menlo School exemplified by Fred R. Halverson, our teacher and lifelong friend." It was also a moving tribute to veterans everywhere.

Col. Welker most definitely has displayed a dedication and loyalty to his alma mater, calling weekly and never missing a Homecoming celebration until last year, due to health reasons. This year, Bill attended a full day of classes on the Friday before Homecoming, and greatly enjoys coming back to campus.

In addition, Bill's military career made him a perfect candidate for the Halverson Award. In 1953 he joined the Air Force and was commissioned 2^nd Lt. in 1954. From 1954 to 1958 he flew as a Radar and Navigation training officer in Waco, Texas. In 1959 he moved to Sacramento and flew C119’s at McClellan AFB. In 1965 he started flying C-124 cargo aircraft throughout South East Asia. He flew numerous missions into Vietnam. In 1963, Bill became the Chief Navigator for the 940^th Military Airlift Group, flying C-130 aircraft. From 1976 to 1978 he was one of the lead navigators at Mather AFB in Sacramento, flying KC135 tankers. During his flying career he accumulated over 10,000 hours of flying time.

In 1980, Bill was promoted to full colonel and was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, DC where he served until 1984. In 1985 he retired from the Air Force and went to work at Travis AFB as a civilian logistics officer for an Air Force headquarters. We were thrilled to honor Bill with this very special award in front of all Menlo students at our 2007 Veteran's Day Assembly, and salute Fred Halverson for making it all possible.