Ray discovered the call to military service in high school, being promoted to Staff Sergeant in the Army, and was admitted to Officer Candidate School, rising as high as possible for a field officer, to the rank of Colonel. His 35-year career spanned a variety of humanitarian missions, including multiple deployments to South America to give aid, assisting fellow citizens affected by hurricane Katrina, and fellow troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ray now partners with his battle buddy, Jonah, who loves to sit with Ray by the water and take an occasional swim. Jonah’s best trick, however, is helping Ray to learn to be more accepting of himself, and to be as patient with his own troubles as he is with other peoples’. Jonah is always there with a steady presence to support his human buddy.
