A Veteran’s Story Told For The First Time

Often veterans don’t want to talk about their service.

That was the case with Gary Jones, whom Crossroads Hospice had the privilege of caring for in 2011. Over time, although he never made eye contact, Mr. Jones came to trust Chaplain Ron McCullough, and his story came out.

He had served in the Vietnam War, manning the unshielded gun on the open door of a UH-1 helicopter. On his third tour, he became an airplane rigger. He would rappel to rescue wounded or fallen pilots and equipment from crash sites.  On one mission, he heard a voice calling for help as they were about to leave and rushed back into a burning helicopter to pull out another solider. He suffered severe burns on his hands and face that he would cover up the rest of his life.

Returning home, he got no support and was mocked and spat upon by strangers. He threw away his medals and never spoke of the war. But in his final weeks of life, he began to open up and was honored with a Crossroads Veteran’s Recognition Ceremony. His family heard the stories of his heroic actions for the first time. At the end of the ceremony, he finally looked into Chaplain MCCullough’s eyes and said, “This is the nicest thing that anybody has ever done for me for my service.”

At Crossroads Hospice, we consider it an honor to recognize our veterans.

We thank Gary Jones and all veterans for their service.