Ron Murrey

Bravery is not always outgoing or flashy. Sometimes bravery is embodied in the quiet characteristics of a man who thinks his contribution to the U.S. Armed Forces was “nothing to make a fuss over”.

Mr. Ron Murrey, a veteran of the United States Air Force, says, “I was in war. I’ve seen the rockets and mortars; that’s not worth talking about.” Murrey joined the U.S.A.F. as a young man because, in his mind, he felt certain that the military draft during the Vietnam War was “probably going to get him anyway”. So rather than being assigned to a branch of the military, Murrey opted to enlist on his own accord and choose the branch with which he wanted to serve. After enlisting, he was almost immediately deployed to Vietnam, where he served his first year in the Air Force working on flight line planes and flying a few days a week as a crew member.

When Murrey returned from his deployment overseas, he continued his service in the Air Force, working his way up to Staff Sergeant and honing invaluable leadership skills. His most notable life-event from that time period, though, was not directly related to his military service. “I married Beverly right after I came back from Vietnam,” he smiles. “We’ve been married 51 years now.” Ron and Beverly were high school sweethearts in nearby Pleasant Grove, where they attended W.W. Samuell High School together.

Murrey was active in the Air Force for a total of four years, ending in 1972. He then became a mechanic with the U. S. Postal Service, a career he continued in until his retirement in 2003. He and Beverly also have a daughter, Meredith, a son-in-law, Chris, and two wonderful grandkids. His family is a great source of joy for him, as is his love of the U.S.A. and of Forney, Texas, the place he has called home with his sweetheart, Beverly, since 1995. “I love Forney,” he states matter-of-factly. The only downside, he says, is that it’s not quite the same quiet, country town it used to be.

Proudly flying his United States flag and his Vietnam veteran flag outside his home where he now runs a small engine repair business, Murrey advises potential servicemen and women, “If you feel led to serve, then go serve. But if you’re not gonna serve with a purpose and be true to the country, then don’t go.”

While Mr. Murrey isn’t quick to divulge much about his Vietnam service ribbons, his Missile Wing badge, or his year overseas, he does willingly admit that the state of our country is concerning to him. “The unrest is horrible,” he says, “but it’s in God’s hands.”