In November of 1967, Rick joined the United States Army, enlisting for Airborne Infantry. He completed basic training at Ft. Lewis, WA, AIT at Ft. Gordon, GA and paratrooper jump school at Ft. Benning, GA. While his “Jump Wings” were pinned his assignment to the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam was announced over the public address.
Rick arrived in Vietnam in June of 1968 and served as an infantry machine gunner with a line infantry unit. Rick extended two additional six month tours serving as a helicopter door gunner. Combat eventually took it’s toll and Rick began to suffer migraines and repeated death nightmares. Diagnosed with "situational combat fatigue" he was removed from flight duty. Rick slipped into deep depression and suicidal tendencies, overdosing once and attempting to kill a senior NCO. Rick was reassigned to another unit where he met a young paratrooper, Rupert Harrell, aka “preacher”. Rupert befriended Rick, encouraged and prayed for him helping him survive his last months in Vietnam.
Two Screaming Eagle, paratrooper door gunners, together again in Vietnam, thirty-four years later, in
Born September 18, 1949, Los Angeles, CA. Rick grew up as a “street kid” never knowing his birth father. Raised by an alcoholic mother he was without guidance or discipline and eventually went to Juvenile detention at age thirteen. It was there that God stepped into his life through the youth Chaplain. Rick began acting in a manner that would please God and was soon released to a Christian group home. Rick accepted Christ as his Savior while attending a summer Bible camp.
Today, Rick is a Staff Sergeant in the California State Military Reserves where he serves as a volunteer photographer in public affairs. He has been a longtime Chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and serves as a Deacon at Life Church (AG) in Whittier, California.
Many years later, Rick now married and father of four, was ministering to Vietnam combat vets like himself, was interviewed on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Rupert Harrell happened to be watching the program that day and got in touch with him. Rick now a professional photographer, joined Rupert on a “Journey Back “tour to Vietnam to document the work being done by vets in Vietnam. Aside from getting terrific photos, he received a major healing for the pain he had carried for twenty plus years.
Rick is the provider, designer and webmaster of the
