482nd F.I.S.: October 25, 2003
Robbie lives In Merced, California, and is here seen standing in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX, running down graves of our departed 482nd comrades. I know thats not going to move some of you old couch lizards but I hope it makes you feel bad. Not really.
I like this photo of Robbie because I recognize that stance from the 482nd flightline.
A lot of folks don't care for cemeteries and cringe when they see tombstone photos, thinking them morbid. My grandmother use to scare her children because when she visited the cemeteries she would talk out loud to the dead. I guess she gave all of that to me because I've spent many a peaceful hour in that company. And it looks to me as though Robbie has what we call "cemetery shoes."
Ralph hobbies at restoring F-106s & F-102s. Restoration of any kind is very much the same thing as visiting old friends and seeing for yourself that their graves are marked and green, and knowing that you have made the effort. Its a special feeling. The photo was taken by his wife, Sandy, who has been helping out since the Cherry Point TDY.
