McChord Field Medical Clinic Red Cross volunteer Don Hearon performs several duties in the pharmacy during the 10 hours a week he comes in.

The 75-year-old recently built and adjusted existing shelving inside the pharmacy and has even applied his administrative skills to help improve workflow processes at the refill window.

But all of his accomplishments and duties take a backseat to the one thing he likes to do the most: Make people laugh.

"Laughter is an important part of this job," said Hearon, a retired Sailor who worked as a dentist throughout his career as a Navy officer.

Clinic officials see the value in what Hearon does, as the Navy veteran was recently named the Red Cross Volunteer of the Quarter.

"He's a real dedicated individual," said Bob Jeffrey, a retired chief master sergeant who's served as the Red Cross's volunteer coordinator at the McChord Clinic for the last 10 years. "He comes in when he's not even scheduled to work. He helps wherever and whenever he can."

Hearon was given a special plaque Monday during a brief ceremony inside the pharmacy.

"We get a high caliber of people that come out to the McChord Clinic to volunteer," said Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kristie Lowery, the officer in charge of the clinic. "Don is an example of that."

While Hearon was grateful to receive the award, he's perhaps more grateful of the opportunity he has to make a difference in other people's lives on a daily basis.

"Being a dentist, you have to connect with people and make them feel good about themselves," said Hearon, an Army brat who was born at Madigan Army Medical Center and headed up his own dental practice in Tacoma after retiring from the Navy.

He pays special attention to families of deployed Airmen and Soldiers that come to the pharmacy.

"The family members that come in here go through an awful lot," said Hearon, a Lakewood resident. "Giving them (laughter) is something they need and desire."

The veteran said he's just repaying all the great support he received during his time in the service.

"Now it's our turn (as volunteers) to take care of Servicemembers' families," he said. "They're getting what they deserve."

Hearon saves some of his best humor for fellow veterans. One of his favorite tricks is telling customers that after they've signed the touchpad for their prescriptions, they've enlisted in the service and they're going to deploy.

"Every time I've done that with the older guys they're like ‘Yea, I'm ready to go,'" the dentist said with a laugh.