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Melvin RASH Obituary
A graveside service, with full military honors, will be 1 p.m. Dec. 7, 2009, at Arlington National Cemetery.
Melvin is survived by a brother, Larry C. Rash; a sister, Ranae L. Carroll; and a niece, Shanna R. Harvell. He will never be forgotten. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Melvin RASH
December 10, 2009
Dear Larry, Ranae and Family:
Having grown up across the street on Messick Road, Poquoson, I have fond memories of Melvin and his "big smile"
Melvin paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom, thank God he is now at home.
May your memories bring you comfort.
Sylvia Holloway Brown
December 9, 2009
may god bless .....Ron Bailey
Kathy Martin-Marshall
December 8, 2009
Ranae, we all have thought of Melvin over the years. Now, he can rest in peace in our U. S. soil.
Thank you Melvin for all you did for our freedom.
Larry Martin
December 8, 2009
My thoughts, prayers are with the family of Melvin. At last he made it back home.
December 8, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Sue Moore Drees
December 8, 2009
Larry and Ranae,
I just wanted to let you know how glad I am to hear that Melvin is finally home and can rest in peace. I have very fond memories of us growing up and often thought of him as I passed the family home. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and I thank God for Melvin and our service people who pay the price for our freedom.
Randy McIlhaney
December 8, 2009
I never had the privilege of knowing Melvin, but from what I've heard about him, I think I would have enjoyed knowing him. But this I know for sure: He wore the uniform; he did what his nation asked him to do; and as a result he lost his life. And his family and friends lost a treasured son, brother, and friend. I am profoundly grateful for his service and his sacrifice.
ken plas
December 8, 2009
welcome home and RIP, MELVIN D RASH.
from a ROLLING THUNDER (POW/MIA)(AT LARGE), member and retired navy chief/vietnam veteran.
Helen (Bucky) West
December 7, 2009
Ranae, I'm Helen (Gaus) West. I remember your brother from when he was dating my sister, Barbara and how on Sundays we would go with both families to Jamestown Beach and spend the days in the water. Your brother was a sweetheart who was never forgotten. God bless you and your family for keeping the faith that Melvin would come home.
Cynthia Hayes
December 7, 2009
I did not know this man, however my sister and I had the POW bracelets made for MIA heroes back in the early or mid 70s? I can't remember exactly the year but I think i was about 8 or 9 years old living in downtown Newport News and I am now (a) 45 years old . However, this name stood out in the obituary of the Daily Press because I remember I had a bracelet with this man's name on it and just earlier this summer I wondered (again) what ever happened to Sgt. Melvin D. Rash. Now I know and we all have closure. Thanks to Sgt. Rash's family for bringing him home, I'm glad you have closure
Pick Lyman
December 7, 2009
I was a member of Freedom Now of VA a prominate POW/MIA advocate organization. I produced POW/MIA braclets for several years and I made dozens with Melvin's name on them. he is one of VA's sons who has now been fortunate in coming home to rest. His honored service to our country will always be remembered by his fellow brothers in arms and the VA citizens for his bravery and sacrifice for our continued freedom.
December 7, 2009
God bless your family and give you peace. A hero has finally come home.
Crosby Forrest
December 7, 2009
Melvin's homecoming has been a long time coming and he has frequently been on my mind and never forgotten. I have fond memories of Melvin, Larry and myself playing mumble peg with a pocket knife and dart on Messick Road. He served his country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. My blessings and thoughts were with Larry and Ranae as I read the obituary yesterday with a heavy heart and a lump in my throat.
USMCR 1966-1972
lafayette brown
December 7, 2009
As a Vietnam Vet.US Army MP,Thanks to Sgt.Rash and all the men and women who took to the air to protect us on the ground.You are the reason a lot of us came back.THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS THE RASH FAMILY
December 7, 2009
My name is Rob, I am an Army vet, and I live in Gloucester. Back in the early 80's I bought a pow/mia bracelet with Melvins info on it, I wore it 24/7 and always thought about Melvin, over the years it got thinner and thinner, finally after about 15 years, It fell off while doing yard work and I never found it again, It was impossible to get his again, so I got another soldiers name to wear, but I never gave up wondering about Melvin. I still wear a bracelet and I now belong to the American Legion Riders and The Patriot Guard Riders,who are riding to honor those who served and are still serving today, on our vest we wear the pow/mia patch, still remembering those who gave all. It was a sad feeling, but a good feeling to read that Melvin has finally come home and will be resting in the most sacred place on earth - Arlington National Cemetary - where heroes go for their final assignment.
May he forever rest in peace with his fellow comrades and heroes.
George-Ann W
December 7, 2009
My thoughts and prayers to the Rash family and all your friends. I do not know you but wish to send my condolences and prayers. Thank you for the sacrifice all honour to you and youe family. God Bless You All.
Margie & Earnie White
December 7, 2009
Larry and Ranae,
Earnie and I will have you in our thoughts and prayers. Larry, you may remember me as Margaret Ferguson from Odd Road. I remember your brother well we had high school classes together. He served his country, paid the ultimate price, we are grateful. Our generation suffered greatly during Viet Nam years. Melvin will be remembered. Margie and Earnie White(former owners of VA Trailer Repair & VA RV Sales)
December 6, 2009
Hi Larry and Ranae,Oh how bitter sweet to see Melvins picture today and to know he has finnally come home.I will never forget the day you told us his plane had been shot down.It was hard to believe.We have thought of him often through these 40 years.I burn a candle every day for our service men and women who serve so faithfully now. I pray I can soon turn that light out when they are all home again.Thank you Melvin who paid the ultimate price for our freedom .Love and prayers to all the family. Sterling and Teddy Morse Rohrbach
December 6, 2009
honor you and your sacrifice. been a long journey. allways remember
a veteran
willie kemp
David Lawrence
December 6, 2009
Thank you for your service to this country, you indeed have fostered honor to your family.
Bill Hugggett
December 6, 2009
Larry and Ranae, I'm Bill Huggett and I lived across Messick Road from your family. My prayers and thoughts are for you and your families. I see from the article on Melvin that your Mom and Dad are no longer with us. I believe they know now that he has been found and I know that they are comforted. God bless all of you.
December 6, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Although I didn't know him, my father, (Tom Diggs Jr), and he were good friends and he spoke of him often. I found out about Melvin when as a child I asked my Dad about a bracelet he was wearing. He explained to me that it was for Melvin and told me the story of how he did not come back home. My family has never forgotten Melvin and glad he is finally home. Christy Diggs
Frances Holloway Hinton
December 6, 2009
My prayers are with the Rash family, as I remember them all well. Melvin, Larry & Ranae grew up across the street from my family in Poquoson, Virginia, we were always friends with the children as well his parents, they were/ all very fine people.
Melvin, paid the ulitmate price for freedom, which I will not forget .
I am so thankful for the family left ; that Melvin's remains are back on US soil to rest.
God Bless, Larry , Ranae & Shanna, know that there are people praying for you all.
Frances Holloway Hinton
Lorrine Brewer
December 6, 2009
Melvin was my high school sweetheart,I'll will never forget him.
Lorrine Creasman Brewer
December 6, 2009
i remember melvin as one of my best friends at poquoson high school,we had a lot of fun in that old red pick up truck he was so fond of.i have never forgotten him even after all these years.he was one of the good guys. his friend john forrest
Clarence Hargus
December 6, 2009
A prayer has been said for the family of this Air Force Veteran. Thank you for your service and Semper Fi.
USMCR 1960 - 1968
A USAF Veteran
December 6, 2009
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