Info Sheet - SP5 Nick LaRich
Like so many others my life has been impacted by a few special people. And in my case, they were all connected to my military service. The first person being my wife. We met just prior to me being drafted and we’ve been together ever since. During my Vietnam tour she wrote me a letter every day and even met me in Hawaii on my R&R in July ’68. I should note, since we were not married at the time Jane was accompanied by her mom and dad (courting protocol has certainly changed). I completed my military obligation in June of ’69 and Jane and I were married in August of that year. Being separated for two years by Uncle Sam tested our love and we passed with flying colors.
While in Vietnam I was a member of D Troop (Air) 3rd Squadron Cavalry 25th Infantry Division, CuChi. My MOS was 67N20 (crew chief – UH1) assigned to the maintenance platoon. My direct report was to Captain Bill Blair, Platoon Leader. It was under Captain Blair’s guidance that I was promoted to Line Chief and had the opportunity to work daily with all the other crew chiefs. Further, I was acting Crew Chief for aircraft recovery missions and test flights. Leadership is best taught by example. A lifelong lesson I learned from Captain Blair.
My first job after the service was as a school teacher. And although it was something I truly enjoyed, Jane and I wanted to start a family, and the financial rewards as a teacher were rather limited. My search for employment in the advertising/marketing field brought me in touch with Mr. Urban Farley, President, and Founder of the Farley Company. I was certainly not the most qualified candidate for the available position, but I had one thing going for me that separated me from the pack… I was a Vietnam veteran. Mr. Farley had three sons, none of them served. I believe his employing me was his way of saying thank you for your service. Everything I learned about business I learned from Mr. Farley. I was with the Farley Company for eleven years and retired as Executive Vice President in order to start my own company in 1982. And after thirty-nine years, in 202 I sold my company to the employees. I now dedicate my remaining years to my loving family.