46 Life History --- Happy 50th Birthday Garrett! 1996

by Cheryl Merrick, Garrett's wife, 1996

Thank you for sharing the last (and best) half with me! We have struggled together and, through the Lord’s help, learned and grown. You have helped me more than you realize. The support you are now able to give to me is helping me to fulfill my calling here upon the earth. When I first met you, I recognized a desire in you to choose the right. This desire has only increased as the years have passed, and has become manifest in your righteous leadership of our family. What has meant the most to me has been your support of me as a mother. You have appreciated my teaching and relating ability and encouraged me to use these talents. You have provided the home and means thus enabling me to always remain home with our children. I am grateful for a man who wanted more than a servant to wait on him, who wanted a full partner and a teacher for our children. Thank you for all you support and encouragement. I like being on your team! Lets go for another 25!

25 Life History -- Serving in Vietnam by Dan Merrick

by his son, Daniel Merrick (school report) 

Garrett Richard Merrick was born on the 15th of December in 1946 in Akron, Ohio. He was 21 when he joined the military service. When he was going to college in Southwest Missouri College he enrolled in some ROTC classes. He knew that as long as he was a student he couldn’t get drafted, but afterwards it was a possibility to be drafted. His plan was that since he was going to be in the army he might as well be an officer. Sure enough, he had to go into the army. He was in the 15th Engineer Battalion. He received his basic training at Ft. Still in Oklahoma in the summer. It was always hot, dirty, and dusty. His training consisted of the use of a rifle, a bayonet and endurance tests. His other training as an engineer was accomplished at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia where he learned to build roads and bridges. Mr. Merrick served one and a half years in Vietnam and Dalat which was where Teddy Roosevelt liked to hunt when he was there. What Mr. Merrick did while he was there was oversee the construction of roads and bridges.