For Rick Neal, serving in military was all in the family

Rick Neal is from the time period in America when veterans were not very popular — right after the Vietnam War.

Born and raised in Danville, Neal graduated from George Washington High School in 1973 where he lettered in football. He remembers growing up at the Glen Oak pool and “having a blast.”

“I still have great friends that I met at Cedarbrook School,” he said.

His dad, Carlton, worked for Dan River, and his mom, Meredith, worked at People’s Bank.

After his high school graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps.

“I joined because I knew I was not ready for college, but the first two years in the Marines were nothing but school,” he said. “I guess the joke was on me.”

Serving in the military was nothing new to his family.