Jose Mendez reflects on the battles he fought, the friends he lost, and the lessons of courage and service he hopes the community will remember this Veterans Day.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — With Veterans Day approaching Tuesday, Bible Believers Baptist Church on Rand Morgan Road gathered to honor those who served — and welcomed a very special guest: 100-year-old World War II veteran Jose Mendez.
The congregation stood as the stars and stripes waved outside, and “Amazing Grace” filled the sanctuary. Mendez, a Coastal Bend native, survived some of the fiercest battles of World War II, including Hurtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Central Europe campaign. He received multiple medals for his service and believes only about a dozen of his fellow World War II veterans remain in Nueces County.
“We were very surprised. I didn’t expect to have a World War II veteran as part of our service,” said Tony Seale, associate pastor.
Mendez said he lost 16 of his schoolmates during the war, a reminder of the sacrifices made by his generation. “That is why I’m telling people not to forget the fallen heroes,” he said.
This was the first time the church held a Veterans Day ceremony, and leaders hope Mendez will return next year. Seale called his presence “a truly remarkable generation, especially with what they accomplished and what they did for our nation.”
Even at 100, Mendez continues to advocate for fellow veterans and his community. He stressed the importance of voting for leaders who prioritize veterans’ needs. “Many elected officials will never… look after veterans because they are not veterans themselves,” he said.
His story is a reminder of courage, sacrifice, and continued service — honoring the friends he lost and the values he fought to protect.