When colleagues told Brett Rathgeb there was a situation in the Berrien County Courthouse parking lot he needed to attend to, he figured it was just another routine security check.
As he was led up the steps outside the courthouse, he was surprised to be met by a video camera and microphones.
Rathgeb, an Army veteran who served five years in the 82nd Airborne Division, was honored Thursday with the first Veteran of the Month award, presented by Starks Family Funeral Homes, Mid-West Family, 97.5 Y Country, COSY-FM and WIRX.
“Awesome,” said Rathgeb, surrounded by fellow court officers and his wife Dana. “I’m a little speechless.”
Rathgeb currently works as a court officer at the Berrien County Courthouse, and was nominated for the award by family, friends and colleagues for his contributions to the local veteran community — including checking in on his former comrades.
“I think it’s good to stay in touch with the guys I served with,” Rathgeb said. “The men and women, I talk to them pretty frequently to check in and make sure everything’s good. You know, we’ve all got our issues and I think it’s good to always be there for moral support – just to have somebody to talk to.”
Recently, Rathgeb and his father – who also is a veteran – participated in the Trolling with the Troops event in Stevensville, which gathers captains and veterans together for a day of fishing, food and camaraderie.
“The captains put a lot of their time, equipment and volunteer hours on the water for us,” Rathgeb said. “We get to spend time with other veterans that you don’t see on an every day basis from other branches.”
While on active duty, Rathgeb sustained several knee injuries during training that have lingered and required multiple surgeries. According to Rathgeb, his sixth surgery will be on July 8 at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
“The Air Force did a couple [surgeries] while I was in the Army, local doctors did a couple and then they finally just said ‘our resources are expended here, and we need to refer you to a specialist.’”
Rathgeb said he was thankful to receive the award.
“I appreciate it,” he said. “The community, especially Berrien County does a lot for us veterans.”
To nominate a veteran for Veteran of the Month, visit 975ycountry.com/veteran-of-the-month.
