Today I speak with Marine Lance Corporal Samuel Myers.  Sam grew up in Ventura, Ca and graduated high school in 1984.  After a brief time at the Philadelphia Phillies camp, Sam took a job in offshore drilling.  He decided that three years of that backbreaking work was enough and went to see the Marines recruiter in Ventura, CA.  In June 1989 went to MCRD Sand Diego for Bootcamp under an open contract.  His MOS became 0811, Field Artillery Cannoneer and his first assignment was to 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment at 29 Palms, CA in 1990.  During his unit’s UDP to Okinawa, Iraq invaded Kuwait.  Sam and his unit were then sent to Kuwait where he saw action in Desert Storm and the Battle of Khafji.  After the Gulf War, and a brief time back home at 29 Palms, his unit was sent to Mogadishu, Somalia for Operation Restore Hope.  After spending 36 months in combat zones, Sam exited active duty in July 1993.