To the family that has had to bear the loss of Ralph, we offers our heart-felt
thanks for your standing so strong. Many that enjoy real freedom have been affected
by the great contribution he gave towards our freedom. He is still dearly loved
and missed, even to this day.
The "Flag of The United States of America",
that we hail is a symbol of one nation, under God, with Justice and liberty for
all, still flies free over our Capital because of the men and women like our brother
Ralph. One must salute him not only because he died for what he believed to be
right, "the belief that all should live free and live their life accordingly".
But, we must also salute him for being a special person, one that God had ordained
long ago, to be a "Warrior", in a time of turbulence for our nation and the world.
His service in Vietnam was not the usual, no he went a step further, he volunteered
to serve in one of the most dangerous units of this war. One had to have guts
of steel and be a team player, to be in such a unit.. Ralph was alternate for
team leader for Gerald Hancock in the Long Range Patrol Rangers working deep inside
of enemy held territory with 3 other men. This is why they only had volunteers.
Teams would often be so far out, that relay teams or aircraft had to be used to
communicate. He had run many missions as team leader and alternate team leader
of this sort, and had encountered the enemy on more than one occasion, but his
skill as a leader help him and the team to overcome. Then, February 16, 1969 while
being inserted by helicopter into enemy infested territory, he, his team, and
the helicopter crew were all killed by ground fire from the enemy, causing the
helicopter to crash.
Ralph we salute you for contributing the highest cost
of war, the loosing of one's life. We your brothers of like spirit, still remember
and love you.
Lord, those who knew are so thankful you allowed them to be
graced by his being among them. We his brothers of like spirit, a spirit that
says all people, of all nations, should enjoy the right to live free and to choose
for themselves, do also thank you. He stands out to us and the world as a symbol
of the price of freedom. Your Word says; "no greater love hath a man than this,
to give his life for a friend" Ralph did just that! He forsook self-preservation
for others to live. He acted out of love, a love that required no contemplation
but rather action. Surely it never crossed his mind at the moment that he would
come to be known as a "HERO". We thank you for men and women like our brother
that, thought it not too much, to give his life for others to live. Lord, this
day give comfort to those loved ones that have been all these years without him.
Help them to know he is at rest with you and "Warriors" of like kind. May we never
forget the blood of others bought our freedoms. Lord, regardless of our belief,
help us as we remember him and the many like him to consider the following words
of wisdom; to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength,
and secondly to love our neighbor as our self. Truly acceptance and application
of this wisdom by all people of the world, is to see war and all other atrocities
against humanity end! May our hearts be charged to honor the sacrifices of such
men and women with a continuous and sincere effort to promote peace on earth and
good will towards all.
'' TAPS ''
DAY IS DONE, GONE THE SUN, FROM
THE LAKES,FROM THE SKY. ALL IS WELL, SAFELY REST. GOD IS NIGH. FADING LIGHT, DIMS
THE SIGHT, AND A STAR GEMS THE SKY, GLEAMING BRIGHT FROM AFAR, DRAWING NIGH, FALLS
THE NIGHT. THANKS AND PRAISE, FOR OUR DAYS, NEATH THE SUN, NEATH THE SKY, AS WE
GO, THIS WE KNOW, GOD IS NIGH...REST OUR BROTHER REST!!
Bob Smyers |
