Rahe family legacy continues on the steps of Seminary Hall

(Tahlequah, Oklahoma) - Northeastern State University alumnus Colonel John Bull Rahe retired from the United States Marine Corps in a retirement ceremony at Seminary Hall on Dec. 14.

The ceremony brought Rahes career full circle. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on the steps of Seminary Hall on May 15, 1991 the same day he graduated from NSU with a Bachelor of Science in secondary science in education.

Rahe said NSU brought his family to Tahlequah in 1951 when his grandfather, Dr. Harrell Garrison, became the university president. Rahes grandmother, father, mother and wife all graduated from NSU, and his mother- and father-in-law were both professors.

My roots are very deep at NSU and Tahlequah, he said. I am very proud to have represented the university throughout my career.

Rahe is the namesake of the new veteran student lounge on the Tahlequah campus. The Colonel John A. Rahe, Jr. Veteran Student Lounge opened in August; an official naming ceremony for the lounge is planned for March.

I am so humbled and honored, he said. It was a complete surprise. NSU's student veterans served our countryto protect our freedom and liberty that we all enjoyhaving a dedicated veteran student lounge is a fantastic way to demonstrate NSU's commitment as a veteran-friendly school. I would like to personally thank Dr. Steve Turner and his staff for his commitment to our veterans (past, present and future)Thank you, sir.

Throughout his career, Rahe was involved in combat missions in support of Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and numerous other theater operations and contingencies. He has been awarded with two Legion of Merit Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals (Strike/Flight), three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and numerous campaign and service medals.

In retirement, Rahe is working full time as a line-pilot for a contract aviation company out of Cary, North Carolina. He said he and his wife still consider northeast Oklahoma home, and they hope to someday move back.

Rahe and his wife Jennifer have three daughters, Brook, Faith and Georgia. The day after his decommissioning ceremony, Rahes daughter Brook Taylor Rahe graduated from NSU with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice/homeland security.