Dean Shilling: A Gold Star Brother Shares the Story of a Local Marine Hero

Have questions about this episode?For more than 50 years, Dr. Bur Schilling’s family did not fully know the heroic actions of his brother, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dean Shilling.In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories, Bur shares the emotional story of growing up with Dean, losing him during the Vietnam War at just 19 years old, and discovering decades later that Dean had been awarded one of the military’s highest honors for bravery.During a patrol in Vietnam, Dean reportedly drew enemy fire onto himself so the rest of his unit could escape. His family would not fully learn the details of his heroism until a box containing his medals and a letter describing his actions was rediscovered years later.This powerful conversation explores:• What it means to be part of a Gold Star family• Grief, healing, and military sacrifice• The lasting impact of Vietnam• Why continuing to tell these stories matters🎧 Listen wherever you podcast▶️ Watch on YouTube📍 Hancock County Veterans Service Office