Carl Neupert is quick to downplay the work that he has done in his communities, as well as his military service, but his time as a board member and volunteer with H.E.R.O.E.S. Care has impacted the lives of hundreds of veterans. 

Neupert, of Wright City, served 20 years in the U.S. Navy as a machinist, working in engine rooms on ships and ensuring they were in working order. From there he transitioned to working as a recruiter in St. Louis as well as in advertising for the Navy. 

His final assignment was working with new recruits on their contracts and assignments. 

When he left the military in 2020, he began working as an accountant for rural development with the USDA, but his time helping those in the military was not over. 

While he was in St. Louis with the Navy he started to volunteer with H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, a nonprofit that provides support and service to military members and their families throughout, and after their service is completed. 

According to their website they “strive to proactively address challenges such as mental health, family reintegration and crisis intervention.” They also provide donations for military members such as furniture and other items to help when military members return home. 

Neupert said one of the people he worked with at the recruiting office recommended he look into their services and at first, he reached out because of his own need, but he quickly became involved with the charity and volunteered regularly. 

During his time as a volunteer with H.E.R.O.E.S. Care he saw the operation expand from one small warehouse to a much larger shopping center as the scope of their services increased. 

“We’ve moved several warehouses since then, now we’re in an old shopping mall,” said Neupert. “And it’s a big store/warehouse so it’s kind of come a long way, since volunteering there for years.”

After he officially left the Navy in 2020, he stepped on as a board member for the nonprofit and continued to guide their mission and serve military members, veterans and their families. 

He discussed how his work with the nonprofit included a wide scope of services from helping service members around their houses, providing donations as well as mental health services. 

He also mentioned that there were times he was involved in helping veterans with mental health crises that even elevated to potential suicides. 

“Those are the ones that stand out the most, because they’re still here,” said Neupert. 

He stepped down from the board at H.E.R.O.E.S. Care earlier this year, and while he was humble about the work he does in the community, his nominator, Robert Mendenhall, noted he is still heavily involved. 

“He gets out and does the board, but he’s also on the HOA here, and we have a significant number of senior citizens that live in the community and he shovels their snow for them and rakes their yards,” said Mendenhall. 

Neupert also prides himself on putting on a Fourth of July fireworks show for his neighborhood in Wright City every year. 

“He does it, nobody asked him to do it, he does it for the neighborhood,” said Mendenhall. 

Neupert maintains that he has just done what he felt he was supposed to do, and while his efforts may go unnoticed, he feels a sense of pride for what he has been able to do for veterans and for his community. 

“We just try to stay involved and help, because that’s what you’re supposed to do,” said Neupert.