Reed Hosts Special Medal Ceremony for Local Korean War Veteran

CRANSTON, RI - The second oldest of four boys growing up in Providence in the midst of the Great Depression, Richard Mende, 94, had just completed high school when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 during the Korean War.

In an effort to connect this local Army veteran with the military honors he earned in service to the nation, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee and a former Army officer, today hosted a special medal ceremony with Mr. Mende and his family to present him with several military awards and thank Mr. Mende for his service, sacrifice, and devotion to his community.

First assigned to the infantry and trained at Field's Point in Rhode Island and Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Mr. Mende was deployed to Japan where he received additional training as an engineer before shipping off to Korea with the 54^th Engineer Field Maintenance Company. He served in Korea for sixteen months, helping to procure and deliver needed supplies to allied units throughout the country. He left Korea in 1954 and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.

"These military honors are but a small token of our enduring gratitude and respect for the service Mr. Mende bravely gave to our nation. When he came home, Mr. Mende maintained a steadfast commitment to serving his community and fellow veterans, guiding young Rhode Islanders as a gymnastics coach with the Providence Turners Club and as the commander of Glocester's chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association," said Senator Reed. "I am honored to join Rich and his loving family today to present him with these medals and to thank him for his immense sacrifice, courageous service, and uncommon devotion to charitable endeavors that have had positive impacts throughout his community and our state."

"This was a tremendous surprise to me, and I am very grateful to my daughter Lori for reaching out to the Senator's office and to Senator Jack Reed for this honor," said Mr. Mende.

Returning home to Rhode Island in 1954, Mr. Mende got his degree from Bryant University and worked in the jewelry industry with the class ring manufacturer Dieges & Clust (now known as Herf Jones). As a lifelong member of the Providence Turners Club, he began mentoring and coaching young athletes as a gymnastics instructor. Rich met his beloved wife of 60 years, Patty, at the Turners Club. They raised four daughters in their family home in Johnston which Mr. Mende built himself and where he still lives today.

After retiring, Mr. Mende became active in leading his local chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association. Today, at 94, he enjoys tending to his garden and keeping up with yard work, doing his morning exercises, spending time with friends and fellow veterans, and staying closely connected to his eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and three brothers.

In honor of Mr. Mende's exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity while serving the nation in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Senator Reed today presented him with the following military honors:

• Meritorious Unit Commendation
• National Defense Service Medal
• Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star Attachment
• United Nations Service Medal
• Marksmanship Badge & Rifle Bar

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