I don’t think President Joe Biden had any idea exactly who he was giving praise to, and it created another awkward moment for the president.
Biden personally congratulated a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer for saving the lives of victims during Hurricane Ian’s devastation in southwest Florida. But that very same Coast Guard hero is on the verge of being discharged because of the president’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccine order for the U.S. military.
Zach Loesch was one of many Coast Guard heroes who flew into the chaos to reach people only accessible by aircraft during the Category 4 hurricane from the Clearwater Air Station.
These people worked more than eight hours going back and forth amid the storm and rescued 15 people and several pets.
Loesch reportedly kicked through a wall to pull out a disabled woman and her husband who were marooned in their home.
“I’m just trying to smile and be happy and show up to them as a light at the end of their dark day,” Loesch told WFLA. “A lot of them are desperate and need help and in despair. Everything they know is gone, and when they’re leaving with us it may be the last time they see their house.”
Biden congratulated Loesch for his bravery.”I told him how proud of him I was and thanked him for all the work he and his Coasties are doing to save lives,” Biden said.
The White House added, “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.”
Loesch is one of the committed federal employees who will lose his job over Biden’s mandatory policy with vaccines in approximately 30 days. His request for a religious exemption was denied and his appeal was also denied.
Loesch allegedly told journalist Kristina Wong, “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.’ It just sucks that he thanked me yet his vaccine mandate is what’s kicking me out.”
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