stormy
06-04-2003, 11:51 AM
'Be Strong and of Good Courage' Comforts Grieving Father
By Dennis Ryan
American Forces Press Service
May 29, 2003
WASHINGTON -- Retired Army Lt. Col. Joe Rippetoe breakfasted at the White House on Memorial Day morning and afterwards was ushered in to meet President Bush.
Joe's son, Russell, was the first casualty of the Iraq War to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on April 10. The captain, assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga., died from injuries on April 3.
Bush remembered the fallen soldier during his May 26 Memorial Day address in the amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.
"Russell Rippetoe served with distinction in Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart," the president said.
"On the back of his dog tag were engraved these words from the book of Joshua, 'Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee.' This faithful Army captain has joined a noble company of service and sacrifice gathered row by row."
The elder Rippetoe felt honored and pleased that the president took the time out of his busy schedule to meet with service members' families, even though he is still grieving for his lost boy.
The combat veteran compared the levels of emotion of watching the war from afar, of hearing about it face to face, and of feeling the crushing tragedy of loss. "When we (he and wife, Rita) were watching the war on TV, it was like a movie," the old soldier said. "When he came home from Afghanistan, it was a story. When you lose (a loved) one, that war becomes very personal.
Dad says he'd go again in a nanosecond, if he were allowed (http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=dod 2_052903&ESRC=dod.nl)
By Dennis Ryan
American Forces Press Service
May 29, 2003
WASHINGTON -- Retired Army Lt. Col. Joe Rippetoe breakfasted at the White House on Memorial Day morning and afterwards was ushered in to meet President Bush.
Joe's son, Russell, was the first casualty of the Iraq War to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on April 10. The captain, assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga., died from injuries on April 3.
Bush remembered the fallen soldier during his May 26 Memorial Day address in the amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.
"Russell Rippetoe served with distinction in Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart," the president said.
"On the back of his dog tag were engraved these words from the book of Joshua, 'Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee.' This faithful Army captain has joined a noble company of service and sacrifice gathered row by row."
The elder Rippetoe felt honored and pleased that the president took the time out of his busy schedule to meet with service members' families, even though he is still grieving for his lost boy.
The combat veteran compared the levels of emotion of watching the war from afar, of hearing about it face to face, and of feeling the crushing tragedy of loss. "When we (he and wife, Rita) were watching the war on TV, it was like a movie," the old soldier said. "When he came home from Afghanistan, it was a story. When you lose (a loved) one, that war becomes very personal.
Dad says he'd go again in a nanosecond, if he were allowed (http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=dod 2_052903&ESRC=dod.nl)