Lets help Ranger Bobby

If you’ve ever spent some time in the Dark Horse, chances are your path has crossed with Ranger Bobby. You really can’t miss him. I have known Bobby for 7 years now and the man has stories for days. His list of accomplishments is extensive.

U.S. Army Volunteer (1968)

Served in Vietnam (1969)

Long Range Recon Patrol

Elite Unit

75th Ranger

5th Special Forces National Guard Unit (1975)

Awarded a Silver Star, Purple Heart, and 2 Air Medals.

My favorite thing about Ranger Bobby is that, despite the history he’s endured, he remains optimistic, and is kind to everybody he meets (despite him looking cranky in every picture taken of him). If someone is kind in return, he does not forget it. The confusing parts of his stories are the people he refers to as his family. You can’t keep them straight because none of them are the biological family you would imagine. For example, his “granddaughters”, are chosen and the kinds of women who look to him for guidance. Bobby took them in as family, helping them to pay for circumstances such as needing lawyers, and even contributing to college. This man gives even when he doesn’t have much for himself. Down to cooking up huge vats of lasagna for the Dark Horse staff.

Now Ranger Bobby needs our help. He is facing a handful of difficulties. He is currently waiting on help from the VA and is struggling with both his health and housing. Unfortunately, he recently had his last bit of money stolen from him. He was classified as disabled due to an old war wound in his back, PTSD, and significant hearing loss. His wound is again infected and he also needs a biopsy on two tumors. Bobby needs funds to help fix his electric bike, and will inevitably be evicted soon if he can’t come up with the money to pay this month’s, and next month's rent (roughly $1,000 a month). Our goal is to reach $3,000 to pay his rent and help with any additional needs. Ranger Bobby insists that anything extra will be donated to help other veterans.

He continues to pick up odd jobs around town to make ends meet. It’s difficult for him to ask for help so I want to take this opportunity to try and give him the help he deserves, if anything to help relieve some of his stress. Especially if you’ve been lucky enough to receive homemade servings of lasagna, please take a second to think about how just a little bit can go a long way.