Stephen ‘Scott’ Rine
MOUNT VERNON — Stephen “Scott” Rine, 60, died at his home on Jan. 18, 2008.
He was born on May 11, 1947, in Mount Vernon. Scott was a lifelong dedicated veteran. He entered the Army in 1967, where he trained in the swamp lands and deserts of the deep south. He left for combat in South Vietnam just prior to Thanksgiving of the same year. Scott served with the 1st Aviation Brigade for two tours of duty in Vietnam, (1967-69). As a door gunner and crew chief on helicopters, he was shot down four times. He received the Purple Heart for numerous wounds and injuries sustained during his service, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, 24 combat air citations, the Presidential Citation for participating in three major offensives and various military awards.
Scott re-entered the Army in 1974 as an officer and served as a staff adviser on human relations/crisis intervention at the Army’s Burn Center Fort Sam, Houston, Texas, until 1978.
From 1981-90 he served as an adviser and staff counselor for the crisis intervention in Boston, Mass., Navy Marine Corps, Walter Reed Army Hospital.
In 1990 and 1991, Scott was recalled to active duty to serve in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He served with the 11th Armored Calvary at Fort Bliss, Texas, as a crisis intervention specialist. In 1998, Major Rine once again was asked to serve the U.S Southern Command as a crisis intervention/Family Counselor while holding the position of Chief Family Support in Panama and Miami, Fla.
Scott worked and retired from the Veterans Administration as a Chief Social Worker on the spinal cord unit at the VA Medical Center in Miami, Fla.
Scott is survived by his wife, Rose Marie Rine of Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter, Kristen M. Rine of Margate, Fla.; sons, Anthony Scott Rine of Miami, Fla., and Jonathan C. (Elizabeth) Rine of Jacksonville, Fla.; his parents, Donald C. and Naomi (Davidson) Rine of Mount Vernon; brother, Donald D. (Cheryl Pruitt) Rine of Mount Vernon; grandson, Jonathan Anthony Rine; and several nieces, nephews and close friends from around the world.
Family will receive friends today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dilley Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. Funeral services will be held in Jacksonville, Fla., later this week.
Memorial contributions may be made in Scott’s name to a veterans charity of one’s choice. Condolences for the family may be sent at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.