Father Thad B. Rudd, parochial vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Atlanta, last month ended 22 years in the military. He retired with the rank of colonel.

He entered the Naval Reserve while serving as an Episcopal clergyman in Arkansas. He later transferred to the National Guard, serving in both Wisconsin and Georgia. His ordination in 1991 as a Roman Catholic priest made him the only Catholic military chaplain in Georgia.

He served duty tours in Germany, Turkey and Egypt while in the Guard. His unit spent six months in Saudi Arabia and Iraq during Desert Storm. He was called to active duty during the recent floods in South Georgia.

Father Rudd also serves as Catholic chaplain at the Veterans Administration Hospital.