April 21, 1968

Growing up in SE Portland, Ron Cannon graduated from David Douglas High School in 1965. After finishing school, he got involved with radio broadcasting. In July 1967, Ron was drafted. Hoping to get into radio operations and stay out of harm's way, he ended up carrying a radio on his back into the jungle of Vietnam. After a mere three weeks in Vietnam, Ron stepped on a land mine and spent the next three weeks fighting for his life. Ron laughingly says there are no atheists on the battlefield. After losing his lower right leg and a portion of his left leg, he also had a body full of shrapnel. It was at this time that Ron literally asked God what purpose there was for him now.... After being discharged in Feb. 1969, Ron was back home attending Mt. Hood Community College, working to finish degrees in both radio and television. It was during this time he met his wife Shirley at a party. Ron said he immediately KNEW he was smitten and Shirley was the one he wanted to be with forever. The two dated and then married in Nov. 1972.  Moving to Corbett in 1978, they purchased a home together and raised their three children. Ron loved being a father and wanted to "give back" to his community and others. Being bullied as a child, he became involved with his son Michael's Cub and then Boy Scout troop. He taught the boys how to have self-confidence and also taught them about disabilities. Ron was actively involved with the Scouts in Corbett for over 10 years, and under his leadership, he watched 13 boys (including his own) become Eagle Scouts. Ron has also continued to serve on the Corbett Fire Dept. Board. for the last 10 years. Ron eventually left broadcasting to become the first Disabled Veteran's Outreach P Division Director in 1977. He served veterans and disabled persons for eight years and was then hired by the Federal U.S. Dept. of Labor's Veteran's Employment and Training Service. He recently has retired. Thinking back to April 21, 1968 when Ron asked God about his purpose....he now understands. Ron used his past pains to better enhance the lives of others, blessing numerous people along the way.