Rick Eilert, born on 4 June 1947, enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 1967. In November 1967, Eilert sustained serious injuries and was transported to Great Lakes Naval Hospital for treatment and rehabilitation. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Eilert married his wife, Cheryl, and went to work for Union Oil Company. He left Union Oil in 1981 to join the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, President Reagan�s bipartisan initiative to improve the lives of Vietnam Veterans. In 1995, after years of surgeries due to the wounds Eilert sustained in combat, he retired, but still spends time advocating for veterans.