Former DAV veteran of year enshrined in Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame

Roger Ferland, DAV’s 2014 Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year was selected to be inducted in the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame as a part of the class of 2016.
Roger Ferland, DAV’s 2014 Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year was selected to be inducted in the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame as a part of the class of 2016.

Roger Ferland, a Vietnam-era Army veteran, was recently selected to join the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame class of 2016, and will officially be inducted Oct. 28, during a ceremony in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony recognizes and honors Arizona veterans who have honorably served their country through military service and who have continued to serve and inspire their fellow citizens with deeds and accomplishments throughout their lifetime.

In 1968, Ferland, a Phoenix native, was diverted from law school when he was drafted into the Army and deployed to the war in Vietnam.

He first served as a squad leader and then platoon sergeant before he lost both of his legs and severely injured an arm after an explosion while on patrol.

“The day that I was hit I was doing something that staff sergeants were never supposed to do—I was walking point because we couldn’t get anyone else to do it,” said Ferland. “You know, it is a cliché to never volunteer for anything in the Army, and the one time I did I got blown up, so I guess that shows that the cliché is correct.”

Despite his injuries, he went on to graduate with distinction from Duke University Law School in 1974, and practiced environmental and natural resources law for over 35 years before retiring as a distinguished attorney in 2014.

An active member of DAV, Ferland worked tirelessly with local leaders to establish free legal clinics for veterans in 2013. He enlisted 300 attorneys to work veterans’ legal issues at no cost, scheduled and coordinated the clinics. Thanks to his efforts, DAV named Ferland its Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year in 2014.

Through his efforts, DAV and the Arizona Disabled Veteran Foundation have now piloted five such clinics, with additional clinics planned to help serve the veteran community.

“It is invaluable to have such a knowledgeable and devoted man as a part of our membership,” said DAV National Headquarters Executive Director Barry Jesinoski. “The amount of time and energy Roger has dedicated to serving his fellow veterans is an inspiration to us all. The impact he has had on so many veterans is hard to quantify. I cannot think of a more deserving public servant and veteran to be inducted into his home state’s Hall of Fame.”

“Roger Ferland deserves our thanks for his commendable service to the nation and his continued dedication to veterans and their family members,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “He exemplifies the spirit and determination of American veterans to overcome injuries or challenges they face and inspire others through their devotion and contributions.”

Ferland is rather matter-of-fact about his motivation.

“God’s saved you for a purpose,” said Ferland. “I’ve got a responsibility now. We were blessed to survive our injuries while many others did not. That precious gift of survival imposed a responsibility to do something meaningful with our lives, and that responsibility is continuing and will continue as long as we live.”