I wasn’t going to write or post this purely out of respect for Ed’s family, as I don’t wish to bring the worst to mind. Although after thinking about the implications of not sharing, following a recent post outburst by the misguided. I thought to let all know how one community is changed by war, how seemingly remote circumstances can touch the lives of those across boarders, by the loss of one. In this small way, I walk the talk of patriotism; respect; gratitude, for them that service and have served -- including Ed’s son.

Since names have been published in a local newspaper, there is no intrusion of family privacy. Therefore read what follows, and know it is truly a small world...

On Monday, March 3, 2008 a suicide bomber drove a car wired with explosives into the gates of an Afghan government building, where 22 year old Sgt. Robert Rapp (82nd Airborne Division, Army) was on guard in the Sabari District of Afghanistan. Booby didn’t make it; he succumbed to injuries sustained in the blast.

Yet Bobby’s legacy doesn’t end there.

You see Bobby was an avid snow skier and was formerly on the race team for a local ski resort, where I am an Adaptive Ski Instructor (for the disabled). Bobby’s athletic ability showed much promise, and I suspect he could have applied for the US Ski Team and would have been seriously considered. Instead, he volunteered for the Army wanting to “...do my part and help people...” as he wrote to his mother shortly before his death.

Ours is a small mountain community where it’s not uncommon to know various community folk, the kind of place where a handshake still means something. The area people are peace loving, slow to anger, forgiving, yet resolved. And we take great pride in our community youth, raising them in traditional ways and values. So when one of our finest falls, the pain is felt throughout.

Like the motto of his Division, Bobby was the “All-American” kid. "He was thoughtful. He never missed a time to send his mother flowers for her birthday no matter where he was in the world. He was happy go lucky " recalled his father Ted. Bobby “...was the poster boy for the Army" according to Lt. Colonel Dirk Levy.

But you judge for yourself the quality of man Bobby was by his own words, given during an interview with our local paper just last August:

 Quote:

"There is the war we are actually fighting. And there is the humanitarian war. We are fighting by building schools, passing out food and clothing and bringing supplies.”

Our local ski resort where Bobby showed so much promise is naming a run in his honor. But I feel compelled to do more. So throughout this summer, in preparation for next winter season (subject to the Rapp family’s approval), I’m going to propose an Adaptive ski program to our resort in Bobby’s name; to provide ski excursions for wounded servicemen & women. I tell you this not for self-aggrandizement, but to demonstrate that each one of us can do something in honor of those who’ve earned it. Anything within our scope, no matter how limited or small it may appear.

A thanks in gratitude is the least one can extend, is it not?

Think about it, please; and in so doing consider these final words written by Bobby Rapp, to his family and our community not so long ago:

 Quote:

"Remember I didn't die in vain and be happy for me. Tell the community of Sonora how much I loved them. I just wanted to do my part and help people. I love you all so much.”

...We love you too, Bobby, you will not be forgotten.

http://www.queuetrac.com/images/Bobby.jpg