Roll Call Tribute

Published in Dallas Morning News on Dec. 10, 2008

Volney C. Shields
Shields, Volney C. Resident of Richardson, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 8th., 2008 Volney was born June 5, 1925, in Lincoln, Nebraska. By the time he was three, he had lived in 23 states. His father had gone to West Point and Columbia University and was a professional military man. He and his wife moved around a lot and as a result, Volney lived with his grandmother, uncles and aunts, a total of about 20 people, while his parents were away most of his early life. During that period he went to seven different high schools. Volney was a teenager when World War ll broke out. He joined the United States Marine Corps in March of 1942 and spent his 17th birthday on one of the island hell holes that was the South Pacific battle front. For his actions on the islands of Siapan, Twariara, Tinnian and Okinawai, he earned several medals including the Purple Heart and a battle field commission for leading a charge at Matoria. He was wounded , but would not let them evacuate him for fear that they would remove his arm. Following the end of the war, he was in the occupation forces in Japan. He left Japan Christmas eve, 1945, for home. While in the reserves, he was called back to duty in Korea in 1950 and was at Puson Reservoir in December of that year. For those not familiar with that period, it was a most difficult time and the troops were exposed to very hostile action and temperatures as cold as 62 below zero. He was there for 1 1/2 years. After his military service, he went to SMU on the GI bill and graduated with a degree in economics and business. There he met his wife, Cathy, who has been with him all the way. No wife was ever more dedicated. As with many of his generation, there was always the personal makeup that aimed them to service above self. He found that opportunity in Rotary. He joined Richardson Rotary Club in 1975 and was instrumental in establishing the Richardson East Rotary Club in 1985. He is also an honorary member of the Richardson Central Club and a well-known visitor to many of the area clubs. He was a three time Paul Harris Fellow. Those who know him are amazed at his abilty to get people to do good things. His continued efforts over the years never flagged and awhile back he was cited by the Rotary District for his service. Even though some may think of him as a quite simple man, it was always interesting to see how he touched lives. Over the ten years or so he served the Richardson School District, he made a difference in the lives of many of the more wayward students.because he had the ability to talk to them on a level to which they responded and provided some with a better way to conduct their llives..Tom Brokaw wrote a book about the "Greatest Generation". Volney was a part of that generation and could very easily have been one of the chapters in that book. He simply wanted to do the best he could for people. We and our country owe a lot to Volney and those like him. They are vanishing very rapidly now. The book points out that "Freedom is not Free". It takes the sacrifice of many for all to enjoy the freedom we enjoy. God's Speed, Volney! A Private Graveside service will be held for close friends and family at Restland on Wednesday at 2:00pm.