Known, now, as a compassionate pastor with a tender mission, Raul Ries was once known as a violent, dangerous combatant. In High School, after a brutal fight, Ries was given the “option” to go to jail or join the U.S. Marine Corps, so at the age of 19, Ries headed towards Vietnam in the 1st Marine Division for a special combat role in a highly trained and aggressive Marine battalion.