Acknowledgements

I served in the U.S. Army for 10 years and got out as a SGT. I’ve deployed twice.

It changed  who I was for the Army when I fell in love with it. I wasn’t aware at the time the change carried over to my home and family. This, together with experiences I can only share with my brothers, the vices I chose to cling to, and the mental instability I’d thrown myself into, caused marital issues which carried on for years until my wife committed suicide. For years afterwords I tried to balance keeping my career and  goals alive and raising my children. I put off mourning and myself and I failed, and have since been medically retired. I suffer now mostly from what is commonly referred to as PTSD.

I have 2 children. My oldest, Henry, and my youngest, Alina.

I did not find about about the Ripple Effect, Wendy and Tammy found out about me through one of my supervisors at the work-study program I participated in at the West Valley Vet Center.

The  Ripple Effect introduced themselves to me and my family by providing us  with an entire thanksgiving dinner and a gift from another veteran and supporter of veterans, USMC Lt Col Tom Sheets. They also helped us  GREATLY with our Christmas dinner, and they took me and the kids out to  participate in Wreaths Across America. They ended that day with gifts for all of us! They’re generous, selfless and loving people to say the least. The care and love they’ve shown me and my family has helped me to keep my kids happy and carried me from a very dark and hopeless state. I  can never thank them enough.

 The Ripple Effect helping Veterans and Families Heal is a nonprofit organization by Wendy Shackley who is has so much compassion and love for others and makes a difference for so many lives that crosses her path.

Wendy goes out of her way and is our rock through every obstacle we have faced.

We are very fortunate and blessed to meet Wendy Shackley who is not just an earth Angel but

now friends for life.

After hearing about my cancer and what I am going through Wendy has been our light and has

gone out of her way and beyond to make sure that I am taken care of by the VA and other

resources.

We were blessed from The Ripple Effect by Wendy Shackley with a generous gift card to our favorite restaurant and it was a warm and deep emotional feeling knowing that Wendy cares and appreciate those like myself who has served Our Country.

I also want to thank Tom for the beautiful handmade USA flag he had personally made for me

and appreciate the wonderful gift.

Richard is a 

US NAVY: 1961 – 1962 Seaman apprentice attended Radio school.

US AIR FORCE: 1962 – 1966 Airman 2nd class crewed a B-57 light bomber.

Was assigned to the 4677th Defense systems evaluation squadron (friendly enemy). We made

simulated bombing attacks on fighter bases.

I deployed throughout the USA, Canada and Bermuda.

USMC: 1968 – 1982 I was initially assigned as a battle tank crewman. I attended other schools

as a student and as an instructor in many fields.

I was a leadership instructor, water safety survival instructor trainer, communications instructor,

M30 and 50 caliber machine gun instructor and a basic sniper instructor.

I also earned my jump wings in Sakura Japan with the 1 st special forces.

My deployment by Sea and Land included with the 6th fleet in the Mediterranean, Spain, France,

Italy, Greece, Hungary and later to England, Germany and Denmark.

I served in Cambodia on a special assignment and the Philippines.

I had 5 brothers that served before me – One in the Army, 2 in the Air Force and 2 in the Navy,

and I believe I am the only one that received any kind of recognition from anyone.

In the civilian sector I feel deep down, good about my service to my Country USA.