Farewell to Fayette County Patriot Charlie Ripper

Although I promised Charlie Ripper I’d never call him a hero, it’s how I will remember him. Emil and I met Charlie Ripper following the Flag Day Ceremony at the Fayette County Courthouse lawn in 2008. We were standing in line for hot dogs and chips. One of the participants in the commemoration, a distinguished older veteran in uniform, stepped away from a group and ambled over to where we stood…