LIEUTENANT COLONEL RONALD (Ron) L. LAROSE
LTC Ronald LaRose was born January 1, 1947 in Burlington, VT. He has lived in Bristol for 63 years with short stays in Charlotte and Monkton. He resides in the house he grew up in.
LTC LaRose attended elementary schools in Charlotte, Monkton and Bristol, graduating from Bristol High School in 1964. He attended Vermont Technical College as a Civil Engineering major and graduated in 1966.
His civilian employment includes State of Vermont Agency of Transportation, Lee Lowell, Land Surveyor and self-employment as a Licensed Land Surveyor. Presently, he is partnered with his son, Kevin, in LaRose Surveys, PC. LTC LaRose has been a Licensed Surveyor since 1970.
LTC LaRose retired on June 30, 2005 from the Army and the Vermont Army National Guard with 39 years of total service, 10 years enlisted and 29 years commissioned service.
LTC LaRose enlisted on June 2, 1966 in B Battery 86th Field Artillery in Vergennes, beginning as a Private and attaining the rank of Staff Sargeant. During most of his enlisted time, he served as a Howitzer Gun Chief.
LTC LaRose was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on June 24, 1976 in the Field Artillery. During his commission years, he served in many positions to include Commander of an Artillery Battery, Executive Officer of an Artillery Battalion, Range Manager and Director of Logistics at Ethan Allen Training Site, Director of Personnel and State Safety Manager at State Headquarters, and Assistant Chief of Staff.
LTC LaRose was one of the first National Guard Officers in the country to serve in an assignment outside the continental United States, being selected to the “Captains to Europe Program”, where he served for three years with the 40th Field Artillery, 3rd Armored Division, Hanau, Federal Republic of Germany. During this tour, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
LTC LaRose also served on assignment with the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon in 1992, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.
Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
In the American Legion, LTC LaRose has been a continuous member since 1969. During that time, he has served his Post as First Vice for one year and Post Commander for 16 years. For the Department of Vermont, he has served as Addison County Commander for three years, First District Commander for two years (awarded District Commander of the Year in 2017), Northern Area Commander for one year, Senior Vice for one year, and Department Commander for two years. Other positions in the Department include: Chairman, Department Boy Scout Committee for nine years; Chairman, Department Ex-POW Committee for 11 years; and Legion Baseball Coach for six years.
LTC LaRose other interests include: President, Graduates and Alumni of the National Guard (GANG); Bristol Recreation Club Trustee for 48 years; Cub Scout Webelos Leader for one year; Boy Scout Scoutmaster for 15 years; Chairman, Boy Scout Troop Committee for five years; Land of Champs District Chairman for two years; Legion Charter Representative for both Troop 543 and Cub Scout Pack 543; father of two Eagle Scouts and grandfather to an Eagle Scout; and serves as the Chairman of the Town of Bristol Design Review Committee.
Other interests are: member of St Ambrose Knights of Columbus; coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams; coached Youth Basketball in Germany; VT High School IAABO Basketball Official; and umpired high school softball and baseball.
LTC LaRose resides in Bristol with his wife, Connie. They have two sons, Kevin and Brett, two daughters-in-law, Megan and Erin, and three grandchildren, Emma, Koby and Ella.
