Cdr. Ronald S. EDSON
I was born at Barre City Hospital, March 27, 1950, to Thomas and Doris Edson of Lower Websterville, VT. I started school at Lower Websterville School in 1957. In 1959, we moved to Upper Graniteville where I attended Holy Ghost School. After graded school, I attended Spaulding High School, Barre, graduating in June of 1968. From September 1968 to June 1969, I attended Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute in Auburn, Maine, studying machine trades. I returned to Barre working briefly for Vermont Plastics in Montpelier; then for LT Machine in Barre. In November 1969, I went to work for Rock of Ages at Piries Quarry. In February 1970, I early enlisted in the Marine Corps. On 7 July 1970, I arrived at Parris Island, South Carolina for Basic Training and graduated in September 1970. After basic, I went to Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Geiger, North Carolina - part of Camp Lejeune. From ITR, I went to NAS Millington, Tenn for Basic Helicopter Maintenance School. I graduated in March of 1971. My next duty station was MCASH, New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina, where I was assigned to Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 as a rotor head and transmission mechanic for CH-46 Helicopters. In March 1972, I was transferred to MCASH Fatima, Okinawa, assigned to HMM-164 as ground crew /check crew. I was told upon arrival, don't get to comfortable, as we were about to go afloat. In April 1972, we boarded the USS Okinawa bound for the coast of Vietnam. While aboard the Okinawa, I became first mechanic on YT-04, a CH-46 helicopter. I qualified as Crew Chief shortly thereafter. We flew 6 combat missions off the Okinawa. In November 1972, we transferred to the USS Inchon. We spent Christmas in Singapore after crossing the equator and becoming Shellbacks. In February, shortly after the armistice was signed, I received orders for stateside. I was transferred to Marine Reserve Training Command at MCASH Santa Ana, California. I was honorably discharged July 3, 1974 and returned to Vermont. I was awarded Combat Air Crewman’s Wings, the Air Medal, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service, and a Presidential Unit Citation as a member of the best Helicopter Squadron in the Marine Corps for 1972. We wore Captain America Helmets and Harley Davidson One in Red, White and Blue on the front and sides of our birds. We also received a South Vietnamese Unit Citation. I also was awarded the National Defense Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the service, I returned home to Vermont with my Wife Adelaida and son Ronald (Bim). In July of 1974, I returned to Rock of Ages Piries Division. I also worked at Smiths Quarry. I finished my time with Rock of Ages in 2009. By then, I was the drill mechanic, hoist mechanic, and bit grinder. I retired with 35 years of service Rock of Ages. I join Barre Post 10 in 1976 at the urging of Roland Fournier. At Post 10, I first served as Sargent at Arms, then Chaplain 2nd Vice Cdr., 1st Vice Cdr., and a total of 4 yrs. as Commander. I was also bingo chairman, cook, house committeeman, and Santa Claus for many years. I was Washington County Commander, once, Third District Commander, twice, and Northern Area Vice Commander. I was a member of the American Legion in Vermont and Post 10 for 33 years. While I was doing all that, I served 20 yrs. in the Vermont Army National Guard as a member of the 1st BN 86th Field Artillery. They sent me to OCS and I retired as a Captain in 2010. I now live in Denver, Colorado.
