Rick Vanmeter:
CLASS OF 1970
Klamath Union High SchoolClass of 1970
Klamath falls, OR
Rick's Story
I lived in KF on Clinton St. with parents and sister from 1962 till 1970 when I entered the Army 10/70 for heavy equipment operation. Trained in Fort Lewis, WA & Fort Lenard Wood, MO then was deployed April 1st to VN and was injured on April 16,71. While I was driving a Rome Plow (Bulldozer D7) doing Land Clearing north of Saigon toward Cambodia. At about 10am a Rocket propelled grenade (RPG) hit the plow on the right side near the engine compartment it exploded and thru shrapnel everywhere. I lost my right hand, Rt eye, radial nerve damage left arm and large area muscle damage left thigh. Went to Madigan hospital Fort Lewis then was medically retired from military and started with VA trying to recuperate with rehab. I was greeted in Klamath with lots of support from friends and family. I married in 10/71 to a girl that stood by me even when others told her she shouldn't. I did not respect that and she and I split after having 2 fine boys. I have no relationship to my boys or her ...Expand for more
and blame myself. She and they deserved better.
Anyway, I moved in with my mom that had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and passed later that year. I moved to Hattiesburg, MS where my sister lived with her husband and family. I lived there till 1988 when I decided to move back to the northwest. My sister had moved back to Spanaway, WA So, I moved in till getting a State job with the employment office in Wenatchee, WA as a Veterans outreach rep. This was a temp job so, I applied for permanent job with Colville,Wa employment and lived their till 1992 when I moved to Yakima,Wa. Yakima has been home since 92 and still here. Since moving here my dad passed away in 1997 and my sister a couple years ago. I had been divorced several times since my first divorce but have been with Deborah since 1998.
I dont remember alot from living in Klamath but if you like please write me. My memories in Klamath are very foggy.
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