Ray Dickens, US Army

BEACON OF HOPE

3-23-2026
US Army Veteran Ray Dickens, Don Goodman, Steve Dean

Marion Writer: Adam Fager

Marion, Illinois

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I grew up watchin’ John Wayne movies 
Made me wanna be the best I could be
Took the oath and raised my hand 
Became a Dustoff pilot in Vietnam

…Ft. Walters Texas…helicopter school

…First time I flew I knew, what I was born to do

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CHORUS                   
In the jungle…a call would come in    
Someone need’n help whether foe or friend
We had to find’em, pick’em up, ‘n find our way back home

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Night or day rain or shine
It doesn’t matter…when lives are on the line
Medivac is ready to fly, ‘n willin’ to go…a beacon of hope 

We were God sent into hell 
No time to think about ourselves
The only thing protectin’ our souls
Was a red cross full of bullet holes 

…From the highlands…to the South China Sea 
…500 missions…helping those in need

 

CHORUS              
In the jungle…a call would come in
Someone need’n help whether foe or friend
We had to find’em, pick’em up, ‘n find our way back home

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Night or day rain or shine
It doesn’t matter…when lives are on the line
Medivac is ready to fly, ‘n willin’ to go…beacon of hope 

 

CHORUS
In the jungle…a call would come in      
Someone need’n help whether foe or friend
We had to find’em, pick’em up, ‘n find our way back home

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Night or day rain or shine
It doesn’t matter…when lives are on the line
Medivac is ready to fly, ‘n willin’ to go…beacon of hope         
Dustoff…beacon of hope