Local veteran, Mr. Dick Pace, has dedicated his life to serving both his country and community. While most BIC students can recognize him as the man who participates in the color guard at the annual EAST Veteran’s Hall of Fame ceremony, Mr. Pace has dedicated his life to improving Buffalo Island.
Pace grew up in Black Oak with his single mother, an experience that wasn’t typical for the era that he was raised in.
“I grew up with only my mom, and back then it was abnormal from the usual thing back then. I never met my dad. He was never in my life, but my mom provided for me,” said Pace.
He graduated from Monette High School in 1967 and had the option to play baseball on scholarship at Arkansas State University.
”I knew I didn’t want to play baseball for the rest of his life. I wanted to make a bigger impact for people,” said Pace.
In 1968, Pace was drafted into the Army to serve in the Vietnam War.
“Me and 15 others from North East Arkansas that were drafted at the same time, we were taken to Campbell Kentucky and then I got sent to Alaska to serve instead of Vietnam,” said Pace.
Pace was trained as an infantry man, meaning he learned to fire mortars in hand to hand combat. He recalled his trip to Alaska, a difficult one in which he tried to convince himself that it would be okay if he died for his country. Even though Pace was worried for his safety, he ended up staying stateside for the duration of the war, serving on a base in Alaska. He eventually earned the designation of Sergeant E5.
“The thing is people don’t understand when you’re drafted or go into the military that everyone is not going to go into combat. There are bases all over the United States that must be manned to make sure the US is protected. You have to be prepared to go anywhere in or out of the country,” said Pace.
The military taught him you had to formulate a plan and that plan has to be followed through. Soldiers have to work as a team to achieve their goal.
”I was there to serve. I need to give back to my community as I did for the country,”” said Pace.
While many could hold resentment towards being drafted and have no choice in the matter, Pace has a positive outlook on his experiences as a soldier.
“I do not regret joining the military. It allowed me to grow up. I do not harbor anything I missed because I don’t feel like I missed anything,” said Pace.
Mr. Pace was proud to be able to tell his story because he grew up in a time period where serving one’s country was a prestigious honor. While it was difficult to be away from his family and friends, he learned to make lifetime friends in the service.
After retiring from the military, Mr. Pace was elected to the Monette school board, a title he held for 1 ½ terms. He was on the school board when Leachville and Monette consolidated, forming the school district that is known as Buffalo Island Central today.
When he lived in Black Oak, he served 16 years on the City Council. In Monette he served three terms and six years on the Monette city council.
”I did the financial stuff for the city of Monette because I was working at the bank and knew how to do it,” said Pace.
He devoted his life to not only helping his country, but serving his town as well. Having fathered two sons who graduated from BIC, Pace still lives in Monette and continues to honor the men who also made the ultimate sacrifice of serving their country by participating in the Monette chapter of the American Legion.
“I am always happy to help anyone that needs it in our community. The community has not only helped me, but has let me help them. This is all an honor to do everything I have done.’’ Said Pace.
