Wendy Harper/MDN Millo Wallace, commander of the American Legion in Minot, served in the U.S. Army for 22½ years.

For Minot American Legion Commander Millo Wallace, serving his country wasn’t just a decision. It was destiny.

Born and raised in Minot, Wallace grew up surrounded by a long line of military service, with grandparents, uncles and cousins in nearly every branch of the armed forces. By his senior year of high school, he knew he’d follow in their footsteps.

“I wasn’t sure which branch at first,” Wallace said. “But in my senior year, I decided the Army was the answer.”

He enlisted in 1978 and served 22½ years, rising to the rank of master sergeant before retiring in 2000. Over the course of his career, Wallace was stationed at bases across the United States, Germany, South America and beyond, spending much of his time at Fort Carson, Colorado, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

His time in uniform wasn’t easy. Basic training, he said, was “hell — but necessary.” What stuck with him most, though, wasn’t the hardship.

“The camaraderie,” Wallace said. “I didn’t expect it. You’re just automatically brothers and sisters. It’s still that way.”

An engineer by training, Wallace’s military duties were as varied as his travels. From building and demolishing bridges to field operations and special assignments, he said there was never a dull day.

“You hoped you came back out of whatever you were walking into,” he said. “And you used every skill you were taught.”

One memory stands out among many: delivering a baby in Honduras while on assignment. A local woman who worked near his unit went into labor unexpectedly. With no medic nearby, Wallace stepped in.

“I laid her down, kept her calm, and next thing I knew, I was delivering a baby,” he said. “I had some medical training, but being a dad helped too.”

For all his achievements, Wallace is humble about his awards and citations.

“I don’t believe a ribbon is going to save my life,” he said. “I just appreciate that I got them.”

After retiring, the transition to civilian life was rough.

“We had basically no help,” Wallace said. “You just came home and that was it. I still struggle sometimes.” Those struggles eventually became his motivation to help others. As commander of the American Legion in Minot, Wallace dedicates his time to supporting veterans facing similar challenges, particularly those dealing with Post-Traumataic Stress Disorder and suicide prevention.

“I became commander because I knew the help was out there,” he said. “I wanted to make sure others could get it.”

Wallace is also a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans and remains connected to dozens of former service members, some of whom he calls every year just to check in.

“We still look out for each other,” he said.

When asked what he wishes civilians understood about veterans, Wallace didn’t hesitate.

“We sacrifice our lives to protect yours. That’s why we’re there,” he said.

Veterans Day, for him, isn’t about parades or speeches. It’s about remembrance.

“Every veteran deserves to be recognized — living or dead,” he said.

His message to the next generation is as direct as it is heartfelt.

“Step up,” Wallace said. “If you want to keep the country free, do your duty. And if you can’t, back up the people who do. Stand up for your veterans.”