News & Events

News & Events

R3 to sponsor Veterans Day ceremony

R3 proudly supports this year’s Veterans Day ceremony at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. We invite you to join us on this significant and reverent day as we express our gratitude and pay tribute to our nation’s veterans and their families. This event commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, focusing on those who served in this conflict. At R3, we wholeheartedly embrace the memorial’s mission of honoring the brave individuals who served and sacrificed, ensuring that their legacy endures for generations to come.

Mt. Soledad stands out as one of the most distinctive veterans memorials in the United States. It pays homage to veterans, both past and present, spanning from the Revolutionary War to the current era. The memorial features eleven gracefully curved walls adorned with over 5,000 black granite plaques, each bearing the names of our dedicated servicemen and women. Perched at an impressive 822-foot elevation above sea level, Mt. Soledad offers a breathtaking vantage point over the entire San Diego region. On clear days, the view extends southward to Mexican towns and northward to the mountains of Los Angeles. As the highest point in the La Jolla area, Mt. Soledad provides a panoramic vista that includes sights like Miramar Air Station, Torrey Pines Golf Course, UC San Diego, and more.

R3 attends 5th annual “Emerald Coast is Grateful” event

R3’s Ryan Bedner, Dean Muriano, Rex Rosseau, Ken Normand, and Ken Martin

R3’s Northwest Florida Team spent the afternoon with the Stronghold SOF Solutions Team who hosted the 2023 Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF) – “The Emerald Coast is Grateful event.” The SOTF event was held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Stronghold compound near Bonifay in Northwest Florida.

 

SOTF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to helping Special Operations Forces (SOF) veterans transition from the military into their next successful career. SOTF hosts SOF veteran transition events across the United States and provides them with opportunities to meet and potentially be recruited by companies that value their military service and recognize their potential for future success. Ten special operators and their families attended this SOTF event with diverse SOF backgrounds including Army Green Berets, special operations pilots, and Air Force Pararescue.

Stronghold SOF SolutionsIn addition to opening their world-class SOF training facility for the event, the Stronghold Team provided live fire demonstrations with a team of SOF operators conducting a hostage rescue. Exciting as the live fire event was, the live music event featuring SOF veterans Donnie Reis and Scooter Brown of the War Hippies energized the evening and got everyone fired up for the main fundraising event—the auction. Like the EOD Warrior Foundation’s Memorial Auction held every year in May, military memorabilia is donated and auctioned off to raise money for a good cause. The SOTF event was a resounding success raising tens of thousands of dollars with all proceeds supporting a non-profit that helps SOF veterans transition to their next successful career following their dedicated service to our great nation.

As an agile, employee-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, R3 is committed to supporting organizations and causes that make a positive impact on veterans’ lives.  At R3, we believe that our success is measured not only by our bottom line but also by the impact we have on our communities and the world around us. R3 is honored to have been a part of this important event and is committed to continuing its support for the SOTF and other organizations like it.

Farewell and Happy Retirement, Gene Rathgeber!

R3 bids farewell and happy retirement to Gene Rathgeber with an office luncheon catered by Seasons 52, champagne toasts with tequila chasers, and heartwarming camaraderie.  Gene was with R3 for 8 years, initially joining as the Program Manager of the Navy EOD Leadership Continuum.  He helped grow R3’s contract presence in San Diego and Port Hueneme for Navy EOD and Underwater Construction Teams from one to 9 separate programs.  As such, he continued to accept greater positions of responsibility culminating as the Director of Operations and Security overseeing 6 portfolio managers, 28 contracts, and over 170 teammates performing at 14 different organizations.

He prepared Chris Merwin to assume this role before Gene segued to Strategic Advisor and Senior Mentor for his last year at R3 in transition to retirement.  Gene was a mentor to all, a tireless motivator, and a diligent boss who ensured all around him excelled and prospered.  He will be missed and, given the consummate leader he remains, Gene ensured R3 is well-postured to excel in his absence.  Fair winds and following seas to a leader, friend, and employee-owner!