Local Ronald Lawrence Honored with a Military Banner

Ronald Lawrence, local Colton resident, was honored with a military banner installation ceremony for his service in the Air Force on Sept. 17. His banner is hung on the corner of 9th and D Street. Lawrence was a Master Sergeant and Technician Supervisor where he would mostly work on aircrafts. “Even though he was claustrophobic, he would get in that aircraft and do the job that had to be done,” his wife Donna mentioned. Donna and their three daughters Tina, Deedee, and Carrie were all instrumental in making this ceremony possible. Since Lawrence’s 72nd birthday was on the fifteenth of September, they all wanted to surprise him with his very own military banner as a birthday present. “He knew a week ahead of time because I had to ask him for some information that I didn’t know but he was still so surprised and honored,” Donna mentioned. “He doesn’t ever cry, but I saw a tear in his eye that day.” Lawrence, born and raised in Ohio, joined the Air Force in January of 1961. He was active duty until 1972 and was in the active reserves until 1982. In 1993, Lawrence retired. “He’s still a drill sergeant to this day,” Donna said chuckling. After only one year of training in Mississippi, he went off to James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas to continue to train at a Tech School. Then in 1966, he went off to Midway Island to continue tech training. In 1967, he and his wife moved to Southern California, where he worked as active duty at Norton Air Force Base. Lawrence worked there as an Airborne Radar and Navigation Technician Supervisor until the very last day the Air Force Base was open. Throughout his Air Force experience, he mentioned that he basically had the same job and did the same duties in every position he had. “I really enjoyed serving in the Air Force,” Lawrence added. Some of their family and friends were able to attend. However, their daughters Deedee, Tina, and Carrie were unable to be there because they all live out of state. Lawrence shared that hanging his very own military banner was one of his “proudest moments.” “I’m not a very emotional person but they really surprised me and I was honored,” he shared. "With twenty-two years of serving his country," Lawrence said, “I wouldn’t trade my experience in the Air Force for anything.”