Corporal Richard Garcia
Biography:
Branch of Armed Services: Marine Corps
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Institution of Higher Learning: University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
Degree Sought: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Institution of Higher Learning: University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
Degree Sought: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Growing up in public housing in East Los Angeles, the son of two deaf parents, Corporal Richard Garcia found the Los Angeles Police Academy magnet program as his oasis. Through this program, Richard learned the values of service, education, and physical fitness, which eventually led him to join the U.S. Marine Corps.
After two deployments to the Middle East, Richard returned with a greater sense of self and adventure which drew him to pursue higher education at a location far from where he grew up – the University of Maryland – where he is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and upon completion plans to pursue a Master’s degree in hearing and speech. His family and the experiences he had as a Marine have led Richard to continue his role as a public servant where he aims to fight to remove the inequities faced by the deaf community.
Quotes from Richard:
“Growing up in east L.A., the life paths of many young men and women are tragic. Many never finish high school, become young parents, join gangs, become involved in drugs and overall fall victim to ‘street life.’ Only a few of us have ever ventured out of our community to experience what the world has to offer. I am that person and although I may have grown up poor, my life has been enriched with the experiences I have encountered and the challenges I have endured.”
