Rising Sun veteran honored 70 years after Navy service

(RISING SUN, Ind.) – A Rising Sun veteran is being recognized for his service to our nation more than 70 years after he was in the Navy. 

94-year-old Russell Slack is an East Enterprise native who now lives at the Hoosier Boy senior living complex in Rising Sun. 

Slack joined the Navy in March 1952 and graduated from basic training in San Diego. 

He was a machinist mate aboard the USS Marius which hauled black oil and aviation fuel before being converted for jet fuel. 

Slack spent a significant amount of his service time on the USS Marius and was part of a deployment to the Mediterranean. 

Despite being at sea for more than a year, he admits that he never got over sea sickness.

“I was on the water all that time and never got used to it. I would get sick every time we had a really rough sea. Even after the service on a boat fishing it would bother me too,” Slack said. 

Slack was honorably discharged from the Navy on March 1, 1956.

Three months later, he married the love of his life, Dory, on June 2, 1956. 

Russell and Dory had five children and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this summer. 

It’s been a difficult few months for Russell as Dory passed away on September 19. 

With tears in his eyes Russell said, “We were made for each other. God intended us for one another too.”

Russell worked for more than 30 years at Brown Tool but is best known for his faith in God, church involvement and his lifelong passion for music. 

He was part of a barbershop quartet in high school and that group continued to perform years after graduation. Russell was also heavily involved in singing at his church. 

“If you talk to anyone about dad they will tell you Russ is a Christian and he’s going to talk to you about the Lord. The biggest thing about him is church and being a Godly man,” said his son, Stan. 

On Monday night, he was joined by family members when he was presented with a handmade Quilt of Valor from the Rivertown Quilters. 

Rivertown Quilters member Sheila Stevenson led the presentation and she was accompanied by Vietnam veterans Ron Spurlock and PG Gentrup.

“On behalf of the Quilts of Valor Foundation it our privilege and honor to thank you for your service and welcome you home,” Stevenson said 

Rivertown Quilters has presented over 370 handmade quilts to local veterans since they joined the Quilts of Valor initiative. 

Russell says he was honored to receive the quilt and added that this is another example of what makes our local communities so special. 

“I just feel so blessed to be in this community and people honor you so much. I don’t feel that I deserve this honor but it was an honor to serve my country and I appreciate my nation and this flag so much,” he said. 

Slack flew an American flag at his house everyday and continues to fly one at his Hoosier Boy apartment today.

Watch a portion of the ceremony here: