Veteran’s Army uniform on display

Army veteran Paul Warrington didn’t need to be asked twice.

His nephew, Ken Warrington, is superintendent of the Washington State Spokane Veterans Home at 222 E. Fifth Ave.

Ken was seeking an Army uniform to be put in a display case in the Army dining room of the care facility for local veterans, so he asked his uncle, who spent 45 years in active and reserve duty.

“My nephew asked me for it. I thought it would be a good place to have it displayed,” said Paul Warrington, 76, who lives in Northwest Spokane and is a retired Spokane police officer.

The dress uniform was hung in a wooden case during a brief installation ceremony last month, and it immediately drew attention from residents.

Dennis Foutz, also an Army veteran, rolled up in a wheelchair and studied the uniform’s patches and ribbons.

“I got my wings,” Foutz said in comparing his service with Warrington’s. Both had served in Vietnam.

Paul Warrington’s military career dates back to 1947, when he lied about his age and joined the Navy reserve, he said.

“When I was legal, I joined the Army,” he said.

Paul Warrington served in Germany during the U.S. occupation following World War II. He left active duty in 1952, but returned to duty in 1968 and 1969 for a tour in Vietnam. He attained the rank of command sergeant major.

His dress uniform has ribbons and insignias for combat infantry, a Bronze Star, meritorious service, an air medal, an Army commendation medal, a good conduct medal, parachute jump “wings,” special forces, Airborne service and First Air Cavalry.

Ken Warrington credited his therapeutic recreation supervisor, Shane Price, with coming up with the idea of displaying dress uniforms in dining rooms designated for each of the military branches.

The veterans’ home is seeking more uniforms for the other dining areas, he said.

The veterans’ home can be reached at 344-5770.