Hometown Hero: Don Bigger, Senior Chief Petty Officer and Vietnam Veteran

Sunday was Army Appreciation Day at Riverfront Stadium. Don Greater was honored as our Hometown Hero. 

Don Greater joined the USA Navy proper out of highschool, as an 18-year-old from Hutchinson. His service started in 1968 and he retired in 1994.

“Nicely I knew I used to be going to get drafted. I used to be quantity 4 on the draft record,” Don Greater, the Vietnam veteran stated. 

Within the pages of a scrapbook, he has documented his experiences over his 25-year army profession. 

“I used to be a welder, a structural welder, then a firefighting teacher and a upkeep teacher,” he stated.

He is a Vietnam veteran and he retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

“I used to be on ships over in Vietnam on the USS Iwo Jima,” he stated. 

His “man cave” in his Park Metropolis house exhibits his satisfaction for the USA.

“It is a good nation to serve. I adore it right here,” he shared. 

He additionally loves being concerned with the Kansas Honor Flight.

“As a result of it offers you the sensation of… you might be doing one thing for these guys that sacrificed, a few of them nearly the final word, for his or her nation,” he stated. 

He says Vietnam veterans weren’t handled the very best after they got here again house from the warfare.

“I keep in mind flying by way of San Francisco and they’d inform you to vary your garments earlier than you exit. It was fairly unhealthy. You could not fly on an airplane in your uniform. A man takes a number of satisfaction in sporting his uniform, particularly once you come again to the states. To have individuals spit on individuals and throw stuff at you… all of us skilled that,” he added. 

Despite the fact that the welcome wasn’t heat, he says he would do all of it once more.

“The experiences within the army are issues that you will by no means expertise anyplace else,” he shared.