Our son, ET1 Ronald J. Hemenway was born 7-25-1964 in Cordova, Alaska. (Ronald was born one year after we lost our son, Dale. Dale died on July 29, 1963) We lived in
Alaska for over 20 years. When Ronald was school age we moved to
Wasilla, Alaska. Ronald graduated from Wasilla High School in 1982 and
Sarah (Heath) Palin was in the same class! (at that time no one knew
she would later be picked to run as Vice-President) He then attended
University of Alaska in Fairbanks, Alaska where he studied Chemistry and
Photography.
We moved to Kansas when Ronald was 22. He went on to school at Meridith
Manor Equestrian School in West Virginia to learn breeding of horses and
riding skills. He returned to Kansas and by that time had acquired two
horses. He went to Montana to train with Monty Foreman. He also
went to the Oklahoma School for horse shoeing.
At 30 years old Ronald left me a note telling me he was going to find a
job with a career. That night he returned home for supper and told us
he had joined the Navy. At first we didn’t think he was serious. (His
dad had served in the Air Force and other family members had been in the
Army.) The more he talked, we started to believe him. He left on his
brother’s birthday, November 29th, 1994. After basic training he went
to Electronics School in Chicago. He was Distinguished Military
Graduate and had his choice of assignments. He chose the USS La Salle
in Gaeta, Italy. He left for Italy on his other brother’s birthday, May
28, 1966. I teased him and told him he would meet and Italian girl and
get married. He did! He married at 33 years old. In 2000 there became
an opening at the Pentagon, Ronald told us he was going to put in for
the opening. He told me “I probably won’t get it, but if I do I will be
closer to Kansas and home every night with my son.” Ronald was a “Hands
on Dad.” He did get the assignment and in March of 2000 they moved to
Bolling Air Force Base in DC area.
I feel so fortunate to have memories of when we spent two weeks in Italy
with him and also we went to DC in June 2000. Ronald was so proud of
the Pentagon. He gave us a tour and showed his father the Air Force
area of the Pentagon. His dad had also been in electronics in the Air
Force. After, Ronald joined the Navy, he and his dad would “Talk
Shop.” They developed a relationship they had never had-it was
something that gave them a bond. They had been on the phone the
evening of 9-10-01 and talked past midnight. Ronald’s wife would ask
“How can you talk so long to your dad?”.
Then 9-11 happened. Ronald worked for the Chief of Naval Operations.
There were never any remains found. I can still hear Ronald asking me
after the ’93 attack on the twin towers. “Why aren’t we doing
something?” Then again when the embassies were bombed and when the
marine barracks were hit and when the USS Cole got hit. My only
response was “I don’t know Ronald, I guess not enough people have gotten
killed.” Now we do have a president who Ronald would be proud of
because he chose to do something. We may not agree with everything he
has done; and he has made mistakes. If doing nothing means no
mistakes, then I am glad he went on the side of doing something and
making mistakes because we have not suffered the loss I/we suffered on
9-11 again in seven years.
Thank you for letting me share some of my memories of my sons. All I
can say is “It is out of order to have your child die before you do.”
They should be attending your funeral.
God bless you for all you do. God bless our troops and President Bush
for defending our country and keeping us safe during these seven years!
Shirley Hemenway
Proud Mother of ET1 Ronald J. Hemenway
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5 Comments, Comment or Ping
Tom McCabe
I had the pleasure of serving with Ron on the USS LaSalle in Gaeta, Italy. He was one of those Sailors that I could rely on no matter what I asked him to do. When I had to assign shore patrol assignments I always tried to put Ron on my detail because he was reliable but more importantly he was just a good guy. I knew the patrol would go quickly and the conversation would be positive and entertaining. My condolences to his family on this day.
Tom McCabe
PNCM(SW) USN (ret)
Eric Clark, MSgt USAF
Shirley, what a wonderful tribute to Ron. We met you and your husband when Ron and I were friends at Bolling. My wife and I was there that day with Marinella and I will certainly remember it for the rest of my life. I will always remember Ron for being a good friend, husband and father. I share the good memories about him whenever I can. God bless you and Marinella and the kids.
Please feel free to contact us anytime.
Eric Clark
MSgt, U.S. Air Force
Aviano, AB Italy
Kevin Martin
I went to bootcamp with Ronald and served on USS LASALLE with him. Great person.
Kevin Martin
YNCS(SW/AW), USN
Renee Gaudin
I went to A-School in Great Lakes with Ron, and we used to talk about KC quite often (I’m from Liberty, Mo). He was one of the greatest people I ever had the privilege to meet. Today is the 10th anniversary of the attacks, my heart and prayers go out to his family. He was an amazing man who was taken much too soon from his family and this world.
Renee (Brooksher) Gaudin
Dan Brewer
To the Hemenway Family, Bob, Shirley, Robert, Sheri, Debbie, Paul, and other children who were so young when I knew Robert and Ron.
I just saw Cami Jorgenson today in a store, and found out about Ron.
Truthfully, I just thought of Robert and Ron this morning while driving to work. I thought: ” I’m almost 50 years old and some of the very best friends I ever knew I never kept in touch with all these years since they moved away.” Just this morning.
I am so very, very sorry to hear about Ron, and to feel a glimpse into what all of you must feel every day over the last 10 years. I just can’t believe it. I feel numb.
Ron (and Robert) were such good friends, and good people, as well as their little sisters, and Paul, who was about 3 years old I think when I knew all of you. Their Parents too!
Bob and Shirley, you always made me feel so welcome when I visited, even though I was there almost every day of every week for about 3 or 4 years! I truly do miss all of you and have thought of you very often over the years. I guess life takes us in different directions and it’s hard to stay connected with many people we’ve known.
Ron gave me a call back in 1994 about a year after I got married. It was a great surprize when I picked up the phone! I am sorry I didn’t keep in touch. So sorry. I remember he told me he worked at a stable and wanted to work with race horses.
What a great guy Ron made himself. Always respectful toward others. It is the same with you Robert. I miss you man. Your work ethic and responsibility caught up with me when I got my act together and helped me do well. I still think of you every time I see a picture of a Camaro! And your little sisters were great too.
Sheri and Debbie, you two were so friendly and kind, and almost always had a smile on your cute little faces! I’m quite sure you’ve made some men very happy people as great wives. I’m sure of it. I am so sorry you’ve had such pain enter your lives. I just can’t express it in words.
Robert, I am so sorry from the deepest part of my heart. I know you loved Ron tremendously. You two always seemed to get along great with each other. You two were great brothers and a great example to people who knew you.
Your Parents raised you well. Very well. I knew that when you were just 17.
I’m going to go see Ron’s memorial over at the Wasilla High School. I think I’ll go in the evening. When nobody else is around.
If I could ever say anything perfectly to express my grief, but also a hope we all truly have, would be John 5: 28, and Revelation 21: 4,5, and the whole 37th Psalm.
Ron will live again, it is a guarantee just as our Creator is living, he has promised it and it won’t fail.
I love all of you. Very much. I’m going to try to get in touch.
Dan Brewer
10-14-2011
Reply to “Our Son. Our Hero. ET1 Ronald J. Hemenway.”