Chaplain (COL) Ray Dupere, was a military brat born at Fort Benning, GA. As an active duty Infantry officer he served in Berlin, Germany, the Republic of Vietnam, and at Fort Bragg, NC. After leaving active duty, he taught school, worked in business, attended seminary and served as a pastor for 30+ years, and as a Maine Army National Guard Chaplain for 16 years. He has recently retired and is awaiting his next assignment from the Lord.
- The Good Old Defense Finance and Accounting Office – 1974
For lack of any better ideas, when I resigned my commission a year after coming back from Vietnam, my wife and I decided to try out life in the… Read more: The Good Old Defense Finance and Accounting Office – 1974 - Pro Deo et Patria – Country – 2021
Of the three hallowed words that comprise our beloved motto, I would in this article like to write about “Country” and what that word means to me. I have always… Read more: Pro Deo et Patria – Country – 2021 - Let Me Do My Job – 1996
You’ve probably figured out by now that one thing I had to deal with as a pastor and as a chaplain were issues surrounding death and dying. So, it was… Read more: Let Me Do My Job – 1996 - A Semi-final Resting Place, Part 2 – 2018
San Marcos Cemetery, San Marcos, Texas: The San Marcos Cemetery is what I think of when I think of a cemetery. It was not large, nor was it flat, nor… Read more: A Semi-final Resting Place, Part 2 – 2018 - A Semi-final Resting Place, Part 1 – 2018
I was recently watching a Season 2 episode of “Designated Survivor” and the closing scene showed President Kirkman and his brother standing at the grave of the First Lady who… Read more: A Semi-final Resting Place, Part 1 – 2018 - What West Point Means To Me – Ray Dupere
Not counting obvious things like the birth of my kids, there have been three events in my life that I count as being both profound and life-changing. In chronological order… Read more: What West Point Means To Me – Ray Dupere - My “Combat” Jump – 1972
To this day I cannot remember why or how I got involved in skydiving. I only remember that it happened right after jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia. As a… Read more: My “Combat” Jump – 1972 - The Beautiful Game – 2003
Truth be told, I shouldn’t be a West Point grad looking forward to his 50th reunion in 2019. My freshman year of high school was horrible, though I did rebound… Read more: The Beautiful Game – 2003 - From Crossed Rifles to the Cross – 1975
I was rummaging through a box of stuff recently and came across a photograph of myself dating back to my high school days. Looking at my young self-50+ years later… Read more: From Crossed Rifles to the Cross – 1975 - My West Point Love Story -1970
I know I’m not the only USMA ’69 classmate to meet the love of his life at a West Point mixer, but you will never be able to convince me… Read more: My West Point Love Story -1970 - In the Right Place – 1991, Part 2
Pastor Bob (the guy who let me tag along with him to Russia) and I spent Sunday getting over our jet-lag at Moscow Baptist Church, and then we took a… Read more: In the Right Place – 1991, Part 2 - In the Right Place – Part 1 – 1991
I’ve always assumed that my interest in Russia came from growing up in the Army back in the 50’s and early 60’s. I remember hiding under our school desks in… Read more: In the Right Place – Part 1 – 1991