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Ronnie Mount is being honored as the September Veteran of the Month. Ronnie was drafted on August 1, 1951, and served until June 1, 1953. He attended basic and quartermaster/food service school at Fort Chaffee, AR. Mount was a chef in the Army. At the time that Mount was drafted, he was living in Gary and was a rancher. The Army bussed Ronnie from Watertown to Fort Chaffee for his training. As soon as Mount finished his chef training, he deployed to Korea in 1952. Ronnie was first sent to Hill 281 also known as Arrowhead Hill. Hill 281 was in the Iron Triangle which was formed by Pyonggang at the triangle’s peak and Gimhwa-eup and Cheorwon-eup, the two points at the triangle’s base. This area was a very important transport route located in the center of the Korean peninsula. Mount also spent time stationed at Pork Chop Hill also known as Hill 255. The entire 13 months that Ronnie was stationed in Korea he was in combat zones. Both sites saw prolonged and devastating battles. When Mount was stationed at Hill 281, he was part of the infantry. His job was to stay near the company commander and carry a radio. At Pork Chop Hill, Mount was a chef because that was what was needed there. He also had to help guard prisoners during his time at Pork Chop Hill. Ronnie came back state side a month before he was discharged from the Army. He spent his last month in the Army at Fort Lewis in Washington state. Mount received the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantry Badge and the United Nations Service Medal. He was a part of Company 23rd Infantry Regiment APO 248. One highlight for Ronnie was that he had never left the Midwest, being drafted allowed him to travel to many different areas that he would otherwise not have. Mount was born and raised in Canby, Minnesota. While Ronnie was stationed overseas, his family moved from Gary to Avon. After being discharged from the Army, Ronnie joined them in Avon where they were ranchers. Ronnie worked for the South Dakota State Highway Department for 26 years before retiring. While working for the highway department, he did everything from snow removal to patching holes. In 1966, Ronnie married his wife Ruth Ann Hill, who was his neighbor. They had six children Jeff, Donna, Debbie, Laurie, Suzanne and Randy. Mount has many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ronnie had a brother that served in the military and sons that served in the Army and National Guard. Ronnie enjoyed walleye fishing on the river. He has been an Avon Legion member for 70 years and has held the position of commander. Congratulations Ronnie on being honored as the September Veteran of the Month and thank you for your service and sacrifice. On a personal note, I want to thank Mr. Mount for allowing me to interview him and for his willingness to share some memories from his service that I did not put in the article. Suffice to say the things this man experienced and lived through most of us could not imagine. Even at 95 years old, there are some memories and experiences that a person does not ever forget.