Ron McKeon of Ambridge, Pennsylvania served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 1980.  He was attached to the 3rd and 1st Marine Divisions, Twentynine Palms, California, and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.  Ron also attended the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia and he attained the rank of staff sergeant.

As any marine will tell you, the troops were always preparing for a possible event, such as an assault upon a beachhead.  Putting his musician duties aside, Ron participated in one of the largest maritime invasion training exercises of its kind, where more than 6,000 marines landed, Normandy-style, upon the beaches of the Philippines.

As highly skilled musicians with the Marine Corps band, Ron and his impeccably dressed comrades were more than entertainers, they were seen as public ambassadors for the military.  In addition to playing a variety of concerts and dances, Ron and the band twice lead the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California.

On February 18, 2015, we filmed our 2nd episode of Veterans and Their Stories at MCA-TV in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.  On this day, Ron McKeon (Marines, Vietnam) and Gary Schisler (Air Force, Vietnam/Cold War) joined us to share their stories of serving in the military.

Veterans and Their Stories is hosted by Moon Township resident Beth Feather, who is also the MCA-TV community producer for this program.  MCA-TV Staff includes Jim Koepfinger and Bryan Chemini.  Camera operators are Earl Edwards, Ron Potter, and Pat Griffin.  The technical director is Michael Bufalini and Kevin Farkas directed and edited this program.

This program is produced in cooperation with The Veteran Voices of Pittsburgh Oral History Initiative, in partnership with the Veterans Breakfast Club.