Published: March 17, 2008
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The procession for Sgt. Bobby Rapp, a local soldier
who died in Afghanistan, made its way from Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home in
Sonora, up Washington Street to Highway 108, then up Mono Way to Tuolumne Road,
ending at Sierra Bible Church.
Colette Sauls/Union Democrat
By REBECCA
HOWES
The Union Democrat
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Sonora on Friday morning to pay their last respects to Sgt. Bobby Rapp as he took his last journey through the city he loved and the community in which he was born and raised.
The hearse carrying Rapp's flag-draped casket wound its way along the route which took Rapp's body from Terzich & Wilson Funeral Home in downtown Sonora, along Highway 108, to the church located on Tuolumne Road and then to Rapp's final resting place, Dambacher Mountain Memorial Cemetery.
Rapp, 22, of the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army, was killed on March 3 at approximately 4:15 p.m. when a suicide bomber drove a vehicle wired with explosives into the gates of an Afghan government building he was guarding in the Sabari District of Afghanistan.
Young and old came out to show their respect for Rapp, despite the 45 degree weather, and stood side-by-side holding American flags.
Jennifer Rapp, Bobby's mother, was overwhelmed by the number of people who lined the streets of Sonora to greet her son.
"I am so grateful that I raised my kids here," she said. "It gives me hope for mankind. It makes me realize how many people love this country."
Some saluted, while others held their right hand over their heart, as though pledging allegiance, and many shed tears as the hearse drove past them.
Rapp's aunt, Sara Morgan, who traveled from Orcas Island, Wash., to be with her family, was equally amazed at the show of support for her nephew, as well as for the entire family.
"It's going to make it easier to go 900 miles away from my sister knowing there is a community to support her," Morgan said.
The procession included a California Highway Patrol vehicle, 34 motorcycles led by Ride Captain Rick Clement of the Veterans Riders Group of Sonora; the hearse which carried Rapp's flag-draped casket; the limousine which carried Rapp's parents and brother, Patrick, as well as other family and friends; seven vehicles which carried family, friends and members of Operation MOM; assorted military vehicles; two vehicles from Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office; one Sonora Police Department vehicle and a Sonoma County Sheriff's vehicle.
The two Sonoma County officers, James Mauro and John Grohl, (formerly with the Sonora Police Department), like Rapp, were born and raised in Sonora and came to pay their respects.
The procession arrived at Sierra Bible Church at 9:50 a.m. to a packed parking lot and a full church. Approximately 800 people attended the funeral service, which was standing-room only.
Guitarist Chris Benson played an acoustic version of the song, "Stairway to Heaven," by Led Zeppelin.
The church service included messages of hope and comfort from Pastors Rick Larson and Mark Levering, a photo presentation showing Rapp as a child and with family and friends, letters Rapp wrote home read by his parents, Jennifer and Ted, as well as letters read by friends and a poem read by Rapp's close friend since childhood, Jena Anderson.
Rapp's parents and brother accepted a Bronze Star medal, a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal and a NATO Medal.
Pat Padavana, founder of the local chapter of Operation MOM, a military support group, presented the family with the Gold Star flag on behalf of the Blue Star Mom Organization, a nonprofit service organization which offers support to families who have children in the military. The blue star is replaced by a gold star to indicate when a soldier has died.
From Tuolumne Road, the procession proceeded to Dambacher Mountain Memorial Cemetery. All along the route to the cemetery, there were people showing their support.
For Patrick Rapp, 24, Bobby's older brother, the sight of all of the Sonora Elementary kids holding flags, with their hands over their hearts, in front of the Greenley Road campus, moved him the most.
"Bobby would have been stoked," he said smiling.
Rapp received a full military burial complete with 21-gun salute as he requested.
Army Capt. and chaplain, Doug Nab, spoke to the mourners, many of whom had begun to cry.
"Today is not an ending. Today is a beginning for Sgt. Bobby Rapp," Nab said with certainty. He explained that Rapp had accepted Jesus while at Army boot camp in Georgia.
A reception at Mountain Springs Golf Club, complete with a buffet and drinks, followed the burial.
The mood at the reception was light and people laughed, visited with one another and took turns telling stories about Rapp.
Both Ted and Jennifer said they are grateful to the community for its love and support.
"I want to thank this community for making Bobby's final wishes come true," Jennifer Rapp said.
Ted Rapp said he couldn't be more proud at the outpouring of respect the community showed for his son throughout the day.
"You know Bobby is smiling in heaven," he said. "He wanted to be remembered. He will be remembered."
Contact Rebecca Howes at rhowes@uniondemocrat.com or 588-4531.
