11/11/2025
Today, we thank and honor those who have served our nation in order to protect us. Thank you for your courage, bravery, and the sacrifices you made.
In honor of Veteran’s Day, we would like to recognize and thank our active members who have previously served in the military:
James Rath
Rath served in the U.S. Navy in active duty from 2018 to 2024. He served as a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy for 6 Years where he was able to spend 2 years stationed in Yokosuka Japan at the Naval Hospital working on the Covid Response Team and for the Directorate of Surgical Services. He then concluded his active duty service on the USS Dwight D Eisenhower where he was deployed for 9 months in the Red Sea where he had the honor to receive a Combat Action Ribbon as well as the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Metal. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 2024, ranking as an HM3.
George W. Shepherd III
Shepherd served in the U.S. Navy in active duty from 1972 to 1974 during the Vietnam era. During deployment on the USS Thomaston, he delivered USAID equipment to Sri Lanka and “showed-the-flag” in several ports in Australia and Japan. In 1973, Shepherd was promoted to Lieutenant and spent time patrolling the South China Sea. Here, they were a part of an initial response for Operation Eagle Pull. Shepherd was honorably discharged following his time in the Navy.
Robert Mendes
Mendes served in the U.S. Marine Corps in active duty from 1968 to 1971 as a first lieutenant. During his years, he was stationed at MCB Quantico, VA; Camp Lejeune, NC; Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa; and MCAS El Toro, CA. He was honorably discharged in 1976, ranking as a captain.
