The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
September/October 2002
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCEThe Three Lives of Dean McKee
BY RALPH A. GARCIA & LARRY GOUCHER
"I worked real hard to practice what I preach, and I'm proud of that for I am now healthy in mind and body so that I may help others."Dean M. McKee is fast approaching the 60-year-old mark, as are many of his fellow Vietnam veterans. We interviewed McKee while he was at the VVA Tucson Leadership Conference. He is the director of the Tucson Vet Center and a counselor with 30 years of government service.
The Three Lives of Dean McKee began with his life as a graduate of the University of Miami. He went on to teach junior high school biology until 1967 when he went to his school principal and asked for his recommendation to attend Air Force flight school. McKee wanted to serve in Vietnam as an aviator, as father had in WWII. His principal whole-heartedly provided the recommendation that would launch his Air Force career as a pilot.
Life Number Two begins upon his entrance to the USAF in 1967. He attended Officer Training School in Medina, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. From Lackland he went to flight training at Lubbock, Texas, and became an AC-47D "Puff the Magic Dragon" pilot of an aircraft that would later become known as "Spooky." He flew 244 sorties during 1969 in III and IV Corps areas over Vietnam out of the 4th Special Ops Squadron stationed at Bien Hoa.
While on this assignment, he worked with loadmaster John Levitow who later received the Medal of Honor. Dean spoke fondly of Levitow who, he said, died in 2000. Levitow's gunship number 770 was shot up so badly that its entire wing had to be replaced. Dean flew this repaired aircraft on more than 40 missions, but the new wing caused the aircraft to fly somewhat sideways due to bent aerodynamic trim. Later, he served a tour in Udorn, Thailand, with missions over Northern and Southern Laos.
He then served as an instructor pilot and was the officer-in-charge of survival training school at Homestead AFB. McKee was medically retired from the Air Force in 1975.
Enter Life Three: working with and helping fellow veterans in the Vet Center program. He is proud of having been part of the 1979 opening of a Vet Center in Phoenix and the 1980 Vet Center in Tucson, where he presently works with men and women veterans to help them live healthy and fulfilling lives.
"My 30 years of federal service, service to my country, allows me to give back to veterans and clear up old personal issues," McKee said. "My first ten years with the Vet Center provided me with clarity [in my life]. The last 12 years of serving my country and fellow vets saved my life. My life is complete because of it"
McKee has three grown sons. Although he is considering retiring next year, he will always be working one way or another with his fellow veterans.
For now, you can contact McKee at the Tucson Vet Center, 3055 N. 1st Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719, or give him a call at 520-882-0333.
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