Sonora, CA — Literally hundreds of Mother Lode residents traveled to Dambacher Cemetery Friday to pay their final tribute to fallen U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Theodore “Bobby” Rapp.
Rapp was killed two weeks ago today at the hands of a suicide bomber while guarding a government building in the Sabari District of Afghanistan. Rapp only had a short time remaining in the Middle East until his return home to Sonora.
The day opened with the procession from the Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home to Sierra Bible Church for the 10am Celebration of Life service. Mother Lode residents turned out en masse with their flags to pay their final tribute to the 22 year old 2004 Sonora High School graduate.
Sierra Bible Church was packed to overflowing. Many were forced to listen to the ceremony through speakers placed in the parking lot.
Following the service the procession traveled to Dambacher Cemetery. On Greenley Rd. they were saluted by the staff and students of Sonora Elementary in a moving tribute.
Once at the cemetary, Pastor Rick Larson from Sierra Bible Church spoke again with the majority of his comments directed to the immediate family. An Army chaplain comforted the family by sharing his thoughts concerning Bobby accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior during basic training.
The ceremony closed with the traditional 21 gun salute performed by fellow members of the 82nd Airborne and the playing of taps.
Written by Bill Johnson
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 1:37 pm