Warren Snow:  

After graduating from GHS I went straight in to the Marine Corps, where I pulled a 6 year stint. In the service I started as a gunner on a 105mm Howitzer cannon, right after Field artillary training. I also learned to drive the m60A1 Patton heavy tank and other self propelled armored vehicles. After an accident injured my hearing, I changed MOS's and became an Explosives Transport Specialist (suicide jockey) transporting live explosives of all types on 2 1/2 ton and 5 ton all terrain trucks. I also went through Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare training. while not as "glamorous" as being a pilot or anything, Ground transport is of extreme importance in supporting ground troops and mobile artillary. I also became an expert marksman with the AR15 combat rifle. I remained so until my honorable discharge in 1984. had I been smart I would have taken the education bonus and got some college in while I was enlisted. I should have kept up with my art skills as well, but those kind of fell by the wayside as I went through life. I was stationed in 29 Palms, CA and Okinawa Japan with an 18 month stretch on the DMZ between North and South Korea. much smarter than your average soldier, I had a reputation amongst my officers as someone who could think on his feet and change plans and tactics on the fly as the situation called for it, and while in Korea in 1982 I was appointed to assitant motor transport chief in charge of my units entire fleet of vehicles and their deployment and upkeep. while doing so I gathered an additional reputation as someone who could "get it done". during this time my unit was awarded several combat readiness merits as we were the only unit not to suffer a vehicle breakdown, loss, or deployment failure due to the extreme weather, occasional sniper fire or accident. not an easy task when you consider we had over 150 heavy and light trucks, jeeps, and all terrain multi-wheel transports that had to be maintained, fueled and deployed all over the DMZ in constant readiness. I also personally supervised a 50 man crew of drivers and support personell. all this while also being a suicide driver right out there with my men. my truck was personally shot at on 3 seperate occasions. on 2 of those I only lost a windshield. On the third, my co-driver was injured by sniper fire and I had to perform emergency first aid, as well as still perform our rounds that day solo after getting him to the field hospital. I received a Meritorious Mast award as well as a combat ribbon that day. when we returned to Okinawa, I was quickly promoted to corporal and was offered a bump up to Sergeant if I would have re-enlisted. but, I did not and moved on to my civilian life. I wasn't quite as good at that, though. after being married twice and a few long term relationships, I ended up with 2 daughters, now 15 and 28 respectively. it's a long story. I guess I can't complain, as they are pretty good kids. Savanna (youngest) is doing great in school, is learning the violin and likes video games of course. my oldest, Kathryn is more my "black sheep" child and I have 3 grand children from her. 'nuff said about that. I'm currently in a long term relationship with a woman who is unable to have children but is a good mom to both of mine. Many of you that may remember me from Mr. Neslen's home room art class may be surprised to find that in my working life I have spent most of my time as an industrial maintenance worker, keeping machinery running in manufacturing, factory and line production environments. I have just always had a knack for machinery, it seems. right now I actually work for a company that manufactures and delivers concrete burial vaults to cemeterys. these are concrete containers that the actual caskett fits into when someone is buried. I double as a maintenance man but spend ...Expand for more