Every Veteran has a story, and for Vietnam Veteran Ronn Easton, that story is one of service, perseverance and giving back. Raised by his grandmother in the segregated South, Easton’s journey has taken him from serving in Vietnam to spending more than 20 years as a disease investigator with the Minnesota Department of Health and more than four decades as a professional entertainer.
Today, he is the host of the Cover Your Six Podcast, a platform where Veterans, their families and allies come together for honest conversations about the realities of military life, mental health, advocacy and healing. Through thoughtful discussions with impactful guests, Easton continues to create a space where people feel heard, supported and empowered.
In this interview, Easton reflects on the lessons his grandmother taught him, his decision to enlist after losing two friends in Vietnam, the experiences that shaped his life and why creating a safe space for Veterans remains one of his most important missions.
Ronn, your life story is one of resilience, service, and transformation. Can you take us back to your childhood in the segregated South and share how being raised by your grandmother shaped the values you carry today?
Ronn: Being a hearing child of deaf parents somehow I ended up in the care of my “MaDear” which was the best thing that ever happened to me. In an segregated South where Black folks were stripped of their dignity and rights my Grandmother taught me about pride. She preached fairness and your handshake was your bond. She taught manners and courtesy in opening doors and walking curbside. In short she taught me my first steps to becoming a Man.
At just 14 years old, you left the South for Cleveland, and later, after losing two friends in Vietnam, you made the decision to enlist in the U.S. Army. What was going through your mind during that pivotal time in your life?
Ronn: I left the South because I knew if I stayed I would either be under employed, in jail or dead. I grew tired of being told where I could eat, go to school, pray or even watch a movie. At 14 I moved with my Mother in Cleveland which I viewed as my way out of the South. Hell of an adjustment for a Southern kid around mostly White folks. I scrapped and fought and sealed my place. After graduation from Shaw High I went to Central State University for two quarters. It was then I learned that childhood “brothers” Frank Hall Jr. and Jessie James Bolton were KIA in Vietnam. I left college and enlisted. I wanted something I just didn’t know what it was but I felt I owed them that.
You served as an armorer with the 5th Battalion 42nd Artillery Regiment in Vietnam. How did your military experience change your perspective on life, leadership, and the importance of service?
Ronn: Being in The Army “steeled” the principals my MaDear imprinted upon me but with an urgency. MaDear use to say “if you are late you disrespect those waiting on you”. The Army drilled Being late could cost someone their lives. The last place I expected to find blatant racism was in Vietnam yet there it was live and in color. I knew then I would NEVER let anyone intimidate me or others in my presence.
There was a time for Men of Color military service was a huge stepping step toward success and respect. Not so much anymore.
Many Veterans carry experiences from their time in service that can be difficult to talk about. What inspired you to create the Cover Your Six Podcast as a space for Veterans, their families, and allies to have honest conversations?
Ronn: In creating the podcast Cover Your SIX it was meant to be a source of named blatant truth in a whirlpool of lies and deceit. A place for folks to learn and express themselves without fear of repercussions. A SAFE PLACE.
The phrase “cover your six” comes from military language about protecting what’s behind you. What does that phrase mean to you beyond the battlefield?
Ronn: Beyond the battlefield Cover Your SIX is a lifestyle. Those that know me know I will just about do anything for my friends and those that I love.
Through your podcast, you’ve welcomed guests from many different backgrounds who have made an impact in their communities. What have been some of the most powerful conversations you’ve had and why did they stand out?
Ronn: Some of the most touching and intense conversations have been with survivors of Military Sexual Trauma, hearing from a Brother Veteran that I helped through a very rough place years prior to hear he was past the dark spots and thriving. Many conversations with noted psychologist Dr. Warren Harper and a wonderful conversation with General Russell Honore.
You spent more than 20 years as a Disease Investigator with the Minnesota Department of Health, helping address issues surrounding STDs and HIV. How did that chapter of your life influence your approach to advocacy and helping others?
Ronn: Working at MDH relieved me of inherent homophobia learned in The South. It taught an entire new level of compassion and being of service especially since there were no Men of Color working in the field.
You have also spent more than four decades as a professional entertainer. How has storytelling through performance connected with your work as a Veteran advocate and podcast host?
Ronn: Being an entertainer was a release, a diversion a place to be someone else for however many hours.
What do you believe are some of the biggest challenges Veterans and their families are facing today, and what conversations do you feel need more attention?
Ronn: Biggest challenges faced my Veterans today is the unbelievable rate of suicide which is now more than 22 a day, the reduction in services by a fucked up administration that pretends to care.
Looking back at your journey — from a young boy raised by his grandmother, to a Vietnam Veteran, public health professional, entertainer, and podcast host — what legacy do you hope to leave for future generations?
Ronn: I often say if one person at my funeral says “he was a good Man” then I’m all good. There have been periods in my life where I wasn’t such a good guy and folks got hurt. I have spent the remainder of my life trying to make amends and be of service.
Ronn Easton’s life is a testament to the power of service, compassion and speaking the truth. Whether reflecting on his military experience, advocating for Veterans, working in public health or creating meaningful conversations through the Cover Your Six Podcast, he continues to encourage others to look out for one another and never lose sight of what truly matters.
His hope is simple: to be remembered as a good man who made a difference. Judging by the lives he has touched and the conversations he continues to inspire, that legacy is already taking shape.
To learn more about Ronn Easton and listen to episodes of the Cover Your Six Podcast, visit www.coveryoursixpodcast.com.
About The Author
