President Joe Biden expressed his gratitude to a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, thanking him for saving lives in response to Hurricane Ian, days before he is poised to be fired for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Biden called Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Zach Loesch on Sept. 30, asking for a report on the Coast Guard’s work and if they needed any additional support to accelerate rescues, according to a press release from the White House.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hooper and Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Zach Loesch to personally thank them for the heroic work that they and their Coast Guard colleagues have performed during search and rescue operations in response to Hurricane Ian,” the press release said. “The President thanked them for saving lives and asked for a report on the work that continues to rescue Floridians. He also asked if they needed any additional support that he can provide to accelerate successful rescues; they indicated they have gotten what they need to execute their vital mission.”
Despite the plaudits, Loesch told Breibert News that in 30-60 days, he will be removed from the military after Biden expressed his intent to approve a mandate making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for service members in August last year.
As of September 2022, Loesch is one of 2,632 members of the Coast Guard who refuses to get a vaccine, per the Daily Mail.
“If I had asked any of the people I saved yesterday if they wanted to come with me even though I am unvaccinated, every single one of them would have said ‘yes,'” he said.
The vaccine mandate is a lawful general order, according to the Coast Guard website. If a member refuses to get vaccinated, absent of a medical or religious exemption, it can result in “punitive and/or administrative action, including initiation of discharge proceedings.”
Those who have been involuntarily separated from service receive a general discharge and are still entitled to benefits, with the opportunity to rejoin the military if they get the vaccine, according to the Military Times.
Loesch applied for a religious accommodation and appeal but was denied both times, he claims. However, he said he did not want to bring up his issues with vaccination while on the call.
“It just sucks that he thanked me, yet the vaccine mandate is what’s kicking me out,” he said. “I just love my job, and I’m really good at it. I feel like this is the job that I was born to do.”