After serving in the Navy, Ron Wilson volunteers his time to create organizations, help veterans
For some, Veterans Day is a somber reminder of loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. For Noblesville resident Ron Wilson, the day reminds him of not just his service but his family.
“It brings good memories of when I was younger,” said Wilson. “My grandfather and I would place flags on family graves. We did it rain or shine in November. Growing up as a kid, I had quite a few World War I veterans in my family and a lot of cousins that were World War II veterans. When I take part in Veterans Day programs, I’ve got those memories of the men in my family that served.”
Wilson is a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. While attending the National College of Business, Wilson dropped a class and became a part-time student without his knowledge. When he received his draft papers for the Army, Wilson replied with a wrong address on the letter and immediately enlisted in the Navy.
“I knew someday I’d join the Navy,” he said. “I had intended to make a career out of it.”
Serving abroad
Wilson completed boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill. and was assigned to the U.S.S. Fort Mandan. The ship was named in honor of the encampment at which the Lewis and Clark expedition wintered in 1804–1805.
“I knew the history better than anybody on board,” Wilson said.
Wilson first boarded the Mandan at 7 a.m. and by 4 p.m. the ship was at sea and didn’t return for 18 months.
“It was nicknamed the ‘U.S.S. Stayaway,’” Wilson said. “We came to port Thursday and on Monday we were heading out again.”
During his service, Wilson also served aboard the U.S.S. Guam.
“I was in the auxiliary unit. If it had moving parts, we worked on it. If it didn’t, we painted it,” he said.
Wilson said he enjoyed the travel involved with being a sailor.
“I enjoyed seeing different parts of the world, meeting different people, dialects and languages,” he said. “I also liked the camaraderie with shipmates. Through thick and thin, we were always there for each other. I enjoyed my tour of duty. I really did.”
Wilson served from 1965 to 1971 and finished his time as a First Class engineman.
“Every young man or woman should spend two years in uniform just to get a better idea of what it means to be an American,” he said. “Those who wore the uniform of their country have a better taste of what it means to be free.”
Helping stateside
Wilson became involved in local veterans organization when he returned to Noblesville after the Navy and joined the American Legion.
“In the past 40 years, all of my old World War II friends are gone,” he said. “It’s hard for me to believe the average age of Korean War veterans is 75 and Vietnam War is 70. Time flies when you are having fun.”
Wilson headed the group that brought the Vietnam War Memorial “Traveling Wall” to the city in 2004 and 2007.
“When I told the group it would cost $8,000 to bring the wall to Noblesville, you could see all the blood drain from their faces. I told them, ‘Hell, that’s only getting 80 businesses to donate $100 apiece.’ We raised $8,000 in seven days,” he said.
Wilson said the group might try to bring the wall back, but fundraising the second time was tougher than in 2004.
“The way the economy was, it was hard. Places that donated $100 or more the original time were only giving $25 or $50,” he said. “I’d love to do it again, but a big group of members are no longer with us.”
Wilson also played a critical role in creating two veterans organizations. Wilson and two friends started the Navy Club Ship No. 29, which was founded Nov. 11, 2009.
“It started with coffee on Wednesday nights with two sailors and a Marine,” he said. “Through all of this I’ve been able to help a bunch of different families and veterans throughout the county.”
He and Wayne Long also created the Hamilton County Veterans organization in 2007. The 501c3 nonprofit has several projects it is working on, including a van to transport Hamilton County residents to the VA Hospital in Indianapolis. Wilson said he hopes the program is underway in 2015. The group also is collecting funds to fix a crack in the war memorial at Crownland Cemetery in Noblesville.
“We’ll dismantle what is there and put in a new base. It has a 19-degree lean,” Wilson said. “We hope to have it fixed by Memorial Day.”
Wilson said there is a misconception about veterans groups.
“People think we sit around and talk about war stories. That just isn’t the case,” he said. “We talk about stuff, but we don’t talk about that stuff. It’s a time to socialize with guys that have been there and done that.”
Throughout his years being involved in veterans’ affairs, Wilson said the biggest change is need.
“People either don’t know how to get benefits or where to go. Things are changing constantly with the VA system,” he said. “One hundred and eighty dollars could be the difference between paying for medicine or not.”
Veterans or families in need or residents interested in assisting those in need may contact Wilson at [email protected]. Wilson also can assist those interested in joining or learning more about veterans’ organizations and programs.
Meet Ron Wilson
Age: 69
Hometown: Noblesville
Family: Wife, Sharon; children, Travis, Tricia, Shannon and Sarah; and grandchildren, Sydney, Audrey, Rachel, Vivian, Natalie and Charlotte.
Hobbies: Spending time with his family, working with and helping veterans and scuba diving. He was active for 46 years in Boy Scouts and is a leader with the Riverview Health Medical Explorer Post No. 136.
Organizations: Hamilton County Veterans, Navy Club Ship No. 29, Veteran of Foreign Wars, American Legion, AmVets, AmVets Post 99, Indy Honor Flight program, Disabled American Veterans, Indiana Military Veterans coalition, 40 & 8 and Masonic Lodge.
Branch of service: Navy (1965-1971)
What does Veterans Day mean to him? “Like Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a time to show our appreciation for the men and women who have served, are serving and will serve our country.”
