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 honors 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…