Richard Gooding poses with his wife, Brandi Anne, and children Madison Laura-Anne and Ethan William at Sunlight Mountain Resort on Saturday.
Courtesy Sunlight Mountain Resort
Editor's Note: Operation Vacation is a program that brings military personnel who have fought overseas to the Roaring Fork Valley. For more information about the program, or to make donations, visit
www.operationvacation.org.
Name: Richard Gooding
Age: 28
Place of birth: San Antonio
Branch of the military: U.S. Army
Family: Spouse, kids, etc. Brandi Anne Gooding, Madison Laura-Anne Gooding, Ethan William Gooding
When and why did you join the Army? Family tradition, May 1999, San Antonio
Where have you been deployed? Iraq
What was your favorite place you've been stationed? South Korea
What experience in your travels overseas most surprised you? Different cultures surprised
First thing you'd buy after winning the lottery? My Dad a house
What do you like to do in your free time? Raise kids, but there's no free time
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Doctor or lawyer
Best piece of advice you've ever received: When in the face of rudeness, just say thanks for letting me get to know you better
Any tattoos? What are they and what is the meaning behind them?
I have two stars, one on each shoulder, and a matching tattoo with my wife on our left wrist meaning family.
If you could invite any three individuals in history to dinner, who would you invite, what would you serve, and what would you talk about?
Paso, Einstein, Beethoven; my wife's green chile enchiladas; not much since Beethoven cannot hear and the other two are crazy
What's your most memorable military experience? Being shot through the chest
What are you looking forward to doing while in Glenwood Springs?
The hot springs and a T-shirt since we collect items from everywhere we go
Favorites
Movie: "Goonies"
Video game: Tony Hawk
Breakfast cereal: Raisin Bran
Music: Anything loud
Sport: Basketball
Team: Texas Longhorns
Athlete: open to all
Food: I'm too young to have a favorite food, I'm still trying things out.
TV show: "House" and "Boston Legal"