Biden Praises ‘Heroic Work’ of Coast Guard Diver Facing Discharge Over Vaccine Mandate

President Joe Biden on Friday publicly hailed the heroic work of a U.S. Coast Guard member who saved lives through Hurricane Ian, though the service member isn’t satisfied with the congratulations because he’s facing discharge over Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The White House issued the call in a press release on Sept. 30, when the president personally thanked Zach Loesch—a Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician (AST) Second Class—for saving Floridians impacted by the major storm system.

“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 of the call with Loesch.

“I’m grateful for the brave women and men—federal, state, and local folks working so hard. They’re all working as one team,” the president added. “I hear that from the governor as well as from the federal folks.”

Unfortunately, the experienced Coast Guard member who risked his own life to save Floridians is facing discharge from the maritime search and rescue agency because he won’t comply with Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Loesch told Breitbart News on Oct. 1 after his conversation with the president.

Loesch told the publication that he had filed a religious accommodation request to the vaccine mandate, as well as an appeal, but both were denied. Religious exceptions are typically made regarding the use of fetal tissue in the vaccine.

“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,’” Loesch said.

“It just sucks that he thanked me yet the vaccine mandate is what’s kicking me out,” he added. “I just love my job and I’m really good at it. It sucks. I feel like this is the job that I