My phone rang on a late September day in 2009. On the line was Sergeant First Class Richard Snyder from Eastern PA. “I just got home from Iraq and I really want to go on a good bow hunt,” said Snyder. “Is there any way we can make this happen on such short notice?” With some quick paperwork and a call to the DNR – that is just what we did!
Rich Snyder joined the Marines in June of 1986, graduated boot camp in September 1986 and then stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, followed by a transfer to Norfolk ,VA, and finally sent overseas to Okinawa, Japan, to the Philippines. Rich left the Marines in 1991, and enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1993 where he served in the state of Pennsylvania and then with the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Rich was activated to guard Peach Bottom Nuclear Plant in York, PA. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf of Mexico, and he was deployed to Louisiana. Rich’s unit worked out of Jefferson Parish, and set up caches all over New Orleans at various large sites, supplying food, water, ice, baby items, and other needed supplies to citizens. While down there, they traveled to Lake Charles, LA when Hurricane Rita was coming, to deliver MRE's, water, and fuel to emergency workers and others who needed it.
In 2007, Rich had a horrific automobile accident – spending three days in ICU, and undergoing surgery. He was able to go home two weeks later. Rich spent about three months in a wheelchair and underwent six months of physical therapy. His amazing recovery allowed him to be activated again in January 2008 to train for deployment to Iraq. Leaving in September 2008 with the 56th Stryker Brigade out of Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA, returning in September 2009. Rich remained with the Guard and retired in March 2010 with just under 24 years of service.
