Retired Fort Hood general still serving his country by helping homeless in Central Texas

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – Lieutenant Common Don Jones, who expended 34-and-a-fifty percent years in uniform serving in the armed service, retired in 1991 but is as active as ever serving his neighborhood nowadays by encouraging the homeless in his hometown.

Jones, 87, of Killeen, is a board member of the Pals in Disaster Homeless Shelter, but he volunteers lots of extra several hours than every month board meetings. The retired normal is a standard at the shelter, dropping off food items, outfits and just about anything at all he can give that will enable individuals in will need.

“I’ve been affiliated with the Killeen homeless shelter considering the fact that 2016 when the mayor of Killeen, Texas, asked me to provide as a member of the board,” Jones reported.

That nonprofit board appointment came next a adorned armed service vocation. Jones initially entered the U.S Military as a non-public in 1958.

He attended The United States Army Officer Candidate University and then went onto the United States Military War College before remaining promoted to a 3-star-basic, the 2nd-optimum rank achievable in the U.S. Army.

His path in climbing by way of the ranks was uncommon.

“It was unheard of,” his spouse, Betty, claimed.

Jones’ navy job took him all-around the earth but, finally, landed him back household at Fort Hood, exactly where Jones experienced spent five tours of obligation.

In his three plus many years in uniform, Jones held various command and staff positions, culminating his profession serving beneath Dick Cheney as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Protection for Army Manpower and Staff Policy, Place of work of the Secretary of Defense.

Pursuing his army retirement in 1991, Jones joined the staff members of the American Red Cross, the place he served as Senior Vice President for Chapter Services right until 2000.

His enthusiasm has generally been in supporting others which, he stated, is a trait he came by the natural way.

“I grew up in a pretty wonderful home with a Christian family who did a great deal of items in our neighborhood,” he stated. “You’d be surprised how a lot of men and women would demonstrate up at our dwelling all around lunchtime and my mom would feed them, so I experienced some good perception on encouraging people today.”

Jones has volunteered to enable Gold Star Households, regional veterans and he’s taken a unique interest in the homeless given that turning 80.

“They actually do recognize it,” Jones said of his work at the shelter. “They would be dwelling below a bridge, damp and chilly, without this. This is by requirement, not option.”

The retired standard offers cupcakes and ice cream just about every vacation for those people without having a put to connect with dwelling.

The cupcakes often have a excellent theme.

He’s dropped off green cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Working day, purple, white and blue cupcakes for the 4th of July and even gifted 71 boxes of candy for the girls on Valentine’s Working day.

“They have been crying saying, ‘you never know how considerably this usually means to us.’ They were so touched that any person was executing some thing for them,” Jones stated.

In excess of the earlier many many years, Betty has asked her spouse to rejoice her birthday on March 17 by offering to the shelter rather of getting her a reward.

“My wife explained on her birthday ‘don’t get me a existing. Just take that money and give it to the shelter.’ So, I am truly very pleased of her,” he mentioned.

The army man states he’s presently obtained major ideas for Easter.

“We’re getting 90 cupcakes, 96 cups of blue ice cream and then we bought 80 Russell Stover chocolate rabbits,” Jones mentioned. “I’ll produce it down there the night time ahead of Easter and they can provide it. I also acquired 4 hams for Easter for their lunch.”

Jones continues to be in good overall health and suggests he has no designs of slowing down at any time before long.

“My medical practitioners assume I’ll live at minimum right until 100,” he joked. “And maybe I will.”

“He hardly ever fulfills a stranger and talks to each and every soldier he meets and any one else that would like to chat with him,” Betty mentioned.

“He loves folks.”

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