EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (Oct. 5, 2024) – Two Excelsior Springs Vietnam Veterans, Dean Pierson and Ron Smith, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., on an all-inclusive trip courtesy of The Heartland Honor Flight Network.
The Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring American Veterans, gave Dean and Ron the experience of a lifetime as they toured memorials commemorating their bravery, sacrifice, and service to the United States. The trip allowed both men to reflect on their service and the camaraderie they shared with fellow servicemen.
Dean served in the Army after being drafted in 1965. He spent time at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, near Jefferson City, for both basic training and advanced individual training (AIT) before being shipped to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.
While stationed in Indiana, he attended school and became a finance clerk. He was then dispatched to Fort Lee, Washington, as a soldier under the Army’s Fourth Infantry Division. Dean was in Washington for a year before receiving his orders and was then deployed to Vietnam in September 1966.
While overseas and away from home, Dean worked as a Pay Specialist. He was responsible for ensuring soldiers received their wages and earnings for their services in the war until he returned home in April 1967.
Dean settled back into civilian life here in Excelsior Springs, where he met and married Mary Louise Jones. They had three children: Rodney, Dani, and Kim.
Seeking employment, Dean set aside his experience as a finance clerk; instead, he preferred working with his hands. He started his career with O’Dell’s Plumbing and Heating, which led him on a path of working for Missouri Gas and Energy until his retirement in July 2008.
Although retired, Dean has continued to be involved in the community. He is now a member of the Excelsior Springs Parks, Recreation, and Community Center Department. When he’s not helping with the maintenance of our parks, he’s one of the masterminds behind the metal sculptures that have popped up around town.
Like Dean, Ron’s story began in 1965. Shortly after the draft was instituted in the United States, Ron met and married Janet Thayer-Smith. They had a teriffic honeymoon in Colorado, but, within a month, he had to leave his wife behind as he was called up for duty.
Janet and Ron both felt the heartbreak the day he had to step foot onto the bus as he made his way to Fort Leonard Wood. “I didn’t want her to go to the bus stop with me because I knew I was going to cry if she was there,” he said.
Ron completed both basic training and AIT and was assigned to the United States Army’s Ninth Infantry Division before becoming a squad leader. Later, he was selected as an outstanding trainee and assigned to the Ninth Military Police Company.
Ron was able to see his wife again before being deployed to Vietnam. In November of 1965 she was hired as a registered nurse at Irwin Army Hospital situated in Fort Riley. In December of 1965, Ron’s orders came through sending him off to San Francisco to board the USS Patch which would take him to Vietnam. After his deployment Janet returned to her hometown of Macon, Kansas. Ron recalled the miserable trip across the Pacific, and said he was seasick for five days straight before he could hold down a meal.
The USS Patch eventually docked at Vung Tau Harbor, where Ron and his fellow soldiers were taken to Camp Bearcat, located near Saigon. Janet and Ron wrote letters to each other as often as they could. Janet mentioned that the letters would take approximately two to three weeks to reach Ron, and she was only able to speak to him once on the phone for two minutes.
While overseas, Ron gained the rank of an E5, Sergent, and was put in charge of monitoring checkpoints, keeping soldiers safe and confiscating stolen or illegal items until he was able to return home in 1966.
Upon his arrival, Ron was warmly greeted by his brother and Janet. As he settled back into civilian life Ron thought about utilizing his military skills as an MP and applied to the highway patrol. Despite his experience and service, Ron was turned down by the highway patrol because he wore glasses.
Ron eventually took a job as a highway scale operator, which led him and his wife, Janet, to settle in Excelsior Springs. There, they planted roots and raised their two children, Brad and Erin. Later, Ron had the opportunity to work for Ford Motor Company, where he spent 35 years before retiring. After retirement, Ron continued to serve the community as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician. His son Brad followed in his footsteps and now works for the Excelsior Springs Fire Department.
Dean and Ron learned about the Heartland Honor Flight Network through friends and family, inspiring them to apply for a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to those who served alongside them. Although they were assigned to separate flights, both men shared a similar experience. After submitting their applications online, they were invited to participate and were asked to select a companion, called a guardian, to accompany them. The guardian had to be under 70 years old and could not be a spouse to ensure they could assist the veteran if needed.
Both Dean and Ron chose to bring one of their children on the trip—Dean was accompanied by his daughter Dani, and Ron by his son Brad.
On the flights, the veterans received booklets detailing the lives and time spent in service for everyone participating in the Heartland Honor Flight. This gave the men and women in service the opportunity to relive the camaraderie they experienced during their time in the armed forces and learn more about their fellow travelers.
Upon landing in Washington D.C., the Veterans received escorts to the various memorials they were visiting. Ron’s group was accompanied by area police and Dean’s group was flanked by the Honor Flight Riders, a dedicated group of motorcycle riders committed to helping veterans. The escorts led each group of nearly 90 veterans to the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials.
Dean said the Korean War Memorial was the most powerful monument for him to visit. Standing quietly amongst the life-sized statues of soldiers wearing helmets and ponchos made him feel as though he was there with them in the moment. Ron was overpowered by the Vietnam Wall Memorial. He said he was astonished at just how big the wall is and seeing all the names of the soldiers who lost their lives was an overwhelming feeling.
The journey home after touring the memorials came to an end as both men landed back at the Kansas City Airport. Ron said as the plane made its descent a gentleman told him, “When we land, you’re going to receive the welcome back you didn’t get when you came home from Vietnam.” As they stepped off the plane, they were greeted by people holding signs and cheering saying welcome home, All Dean could think was how, “it was too much for an old man,” like him.
The Honor Flight Network gave Dean and Ron a trip to remember as they received the praise they both deserved for the time and sacrifice they dedicated to the United States.
For additional information regarding the Honor Flight Network visit www.honorflightkc.org.
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