Highland, Illinois honors fallen Marine
Tankerswife sends us a link about Corporal Aaron Ripperda, one of the Marines who was killed in Nevada last week in a mortar accident during training. His home town, Highland, Illinois, prepares to welcome him home;
For the family of Corporal Ripperda, this is more than they could have asked for. For the organizer Larry the Flagman, it’s important to him for the families to see the support. He thinks what better way, than a sea of red white and blue.
“It reminds them that there was that many people out there putting up these flags,” says Larry, the Flagman, Eckhardt.
For the past seven years Eckhardt has been traveling across 10 states helping communities show their appreciation.
“I didn’t serve but this is kind of my way of saying thanks for everything that I’ve been able to enjoy throughout my life,” he says.
You can tell from some of the interviews that this is a heart felt tribute, not just going through the motions. I almost wish I could be there among those good and decent Americans.
Category: Support the troops
Mr. Eckhardt deserves a huge round of applause for what he’s doing.
He does this in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa and maybe the border areas of Missouri and Wisconsin. It’s really awe-inspiring. I personally met him in 2009 when he put up flags for my oldest son and then came back two more times for two of the memorial rides. He and the local volunteers planted flags on the motorcycle route to the VFW. He was in the hospital this past year for heart problems. All I can say is thank you Larry, and God bless you.
I don’t know how I missed this yesterday…Outstanding. Damn pollen count must be up again.