Rick here- In my senior year, the tragic event of 9/11 happened. I had been in JROTC the previous three years and had plans of possibly joining the military. Well on 9/11 those plans were set in motion and within 6 weeks I was fully contracted with the US Marines. Two months after graduating I was in basic training earning my title as a US Marine.

After all my infantry training I was flown over to Kuwait just three days before the war began. My unit was already on the border awaiting orders to invade. Days later we were on of the 1st units to invade Iraq. The Iraq invasion changed my life. I came home with severe PTSD due to combat traumas and the horrors we faced taking over the country.

After my 4 years in the Corps, I spent 7 years trying to get my life back. It took me those long 7 years to find myself and along the way I had the help from my wife and son. My family saved me! In 2004 I married Leilani Sanders from EHS and in 2005 we had our son Joshua. Over the years we fought hard through PTSD and have just recently started living a beautiful life. Our lives couldn't have turned out any better.

In July of 2010 I decided to start a 501c3 Non Profit for Military Veterans called No Soldier Left Behind. Leilani and I felt through all our struggles with reintegration after the military that we would use this program to help Veterans heal and succeed after coming home. As we approach 2 years we have helped hundreds of Veterans across the US and have built a strong community in our local area. We have dozens of Veteran volunteers and work with several other organizations to better reach our Hero's!
I am glad to say I have my life back and couldnt be happier with the outcome. Thanks you to EHS class members Robert Ochoa, Camille Collins, Yolanda Vasquez, Vernisse Chavez, Samantha Ness and SGT Edgar Davis for always believing in me and never leaving my side!!! As always, RIP PFC Daniel Parker Iraq 03', class of 2002.