Pictured, Ron Biermann explores the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that includes “The Three Servicemen” statue. The statue represents the diversity among servicemen with a Caucasian, African American and Latino American. (submitted photo)

Ron Biermann of Fults can often be seen in the community with a cheerful expression, ready to engage in friendly conversation or ask how sheep celebrate Memorial Day.

“With a bah-bah-cue,” is the 68-year-old’s answer.

As any veteran can attest, the freedom to enjoy these finer parts of life have come at a heavy price.

“You know, next year will mark 50 years since my tour of duty in Vietnam. And not a day goes by that I don’t think about it,” he reflected.

Biermann, a recent Land of Lincoln Honor Flight participant, remembers the friends he made in the military. He remembers the gruesome tactics of the enemy. He remembers those who died in battle.

And when he exited the plane last week at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield to see a swath of admirers applauding him for his service, he remembered the stark contrast with the reception people gave when he returned home from war.

“We didn’t get any of that back then,” Biermann explained.
“It was breathtaking,” he added. “I choked up a little seeing all these kids waving flags and thanking us for our service. They blew it up big time.”

Biermann served in the 5th Marine Division from 1967 to 1968, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and for a time at Camp Pendleton in California.

While some veterans walked away from their service relatively unscathed, Biermann twice found himself in unfathomable situations that led to receiving Purple Hearts.

“I was in an outfit on patrol,” he said of the first incident. “They waited for us to get to the rice paddy, and then they opened up on us and ambushed us. I got hit in the arm then. We had a gunnery sergeant with eight months to go, and he got killed.”

The second event occurred when Biermann was in a Combined Action Group on patrol.

“A grenade got tripped or something and hit me in the leg,” he said. “I think I was in the hospital for three or four days.”

This led to his return home, as the military must discharge a service member with two Purple Hearts hospitalized more than 48 hours, he said.

Biermann now enjoys living out his days with his wife, Shelia, who encouraged him to take the Honor Flight that included veterans from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War.

“I really am glad I went. It was phenomenal,” he said. “I was hesitant at first. After I put in my application, I was second guessing it. But then my wife said, ‘Well, why don’t you go, and maybe you’ll see someone there that you served with.’ ”

For the first time, Biermann saw various monuments, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial. But his favorite part of the sightseeing was the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

“That was something. That was really something,” he said, adding that during the changing of the guard, they dragged their feet out of respect for the unknown soldier.

Fortunately, the rainy weather was held at bay, keeping him dry throughout the experience.

“We were very fortunate with the weather,” he expressed. “It was supposed to rain in D.C. When we got off the plane, it was cloudy and overcast, but the rain held out for us.

“And it was overcast the whole day. When we all got in the airport, it rained like cats and dogs.”