News

McChord Reservist helps neighbor in crisis

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Anna Sullivan
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  He was taking his youngest son to soccer practice, but those plans changed in seconds when he heard his friend and neighbor, Mary, saying she thought her husband was dead.

Tech. Sgt. Chad Walgren, 446th Logistics Readiness Flight, went into business mode. The former Federal Way firefighter went into the house to check on Mary's husband, Bob, looking for signs of life. There were none. He called 911 to let them know the situation and went to comfort Mary.

"Bob had a stroke years ago but he was in great shape," Walgren said, about the suddenness of his 58-year old neighbor's passing. "He got up every day at 3 a.m., and ran seven miles before he went to work. He ran marathons. He'd been a little under the weather the day before, but this was really sudden."

Walgren, a 20-year Air Force Reserve veteran, spent the next few hours notifying Mary's family and support network at church about the tragedy. One of Mary's sons, on active duty with the Air Force, had just transferred from McChord Field to Japan two weeks before and Walgren got the information for the Red Cross to get him home.

His focused support drew admiration from North Kitsap Fire and Rescue first responders. In a letter sent to the 446th Airlift Wing commander, Lieutenant Jack Meikle wrote, "SSgt Walgren not only demonstrated decorum and professionalism as he helped our personnel to get the information they needed, he also showed great compassion and sensitivity .... On that day, for that bereaved woman, SSgt. Walgren was a true hero and we are grateful."

Walgren and his family continue their supportive relationship with Mary. His children mow her lawn and put out her garbage cans. He sees her daily when they both get home from work at the same time. He stops by once or twice a week to see how she's doing.

"There hasn't been a day passed when someone from her church stops by the house to make sure she is doing well," Walgren said.

"She's hanging in there," he says. "She is trying to decide what to do with her life. She works for the Kitsap County School District and, after she retires, she is thinking about doing some traveling."

Walgren has some plans of his own. The Kingston, Wash., resident retires from the Air Force Reserve in February 2014, is getting married in August, and will continue his career as a pipe fitter for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. And as a good neighbor and friend.