Dan grew up on a small farm in Louisiana. He always enjoyed challenging himself so in 1963 at the age of 18, he joined the Air Force because it was the hardest branch to get into at that time.

Dan served 4 years as a survivor instructor for air crews. He taught survival skills and techniques for adverse terrains (desert, water, jungle) and behind enemy lines escape and evasion tactics. After his enlistment in the Air Force, Dan joined the Army because he desired to use his skills in a combat environment. Dan was quickly promoted to senior analyst. In 1968 Dan volunteered to serve in Vietnam. Once he arrived in country he signed on with a special operations group. He completed 9 special operations with this unit spending a total of 20 months in North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. During his time in Vietnam, Dan was involved in multiple fire fights, and hand to hand combat. During one operation Dan was driving a swift boat when it came under fire. Dan’s best friend at the time was manning the m-60 machine gun up top. Dan witnessed his best friend pay the ultimate sacrifice that day after receiving a fatal gunshot wound. Luckily the remaining 10 troops were able to escape with their lives. Today, flashbacks and nightmares of these experiences often keep Dan awake at night.

It was during this 20 month voluntary deployment that Dan first began to have trouble with his teeth. He didn’t have the time or motivation to properly take care of them in this environment. With Dan, like so many other veterans, it was always “mission first”.

Dan stayed in the Army until 1972 and later joined the Navy in 1977. He went on to serve for 7 years in naval intelligence.

In 1984 Dan pursued a civilian career running commercial ships. He did this until 2001 when his career was cut short due to his failing vision. He was no longer able to pass the required physical in order to operate the ships.

Between 2002- 2004, Dan started losing all of his teeth. Many of them he pulled with his bare hands because he had no access to dental care. Even with 15 years in the military and all of his combat experience, he did not qualify for dental care through the VA.

In 2004 Dan became homeless as he could no longer afford housing. He now lives in halfway home and is able to scrape by with only social security as income.

When Dan came to the Sgt. Clint Ferrin Dental Clinic, he hadn’t had any teeth for over 7 years. He never had any extra money to purchase dentures so he managed without them. Every time Dan came in for an appointment he expressed his gratitude to finally be able have teeth again.

We are truly grateful to be able to provide Dan with a new set of dentures. His extraordinary example of service to our country is inspiring to us all.