OUR VIEW: Veterans merit mention for monument

Staff Editorial
Published: August 23, 2008

» SUMMARY: The community should support work by the veteran’s committee to honor those who died in World War II.

Six veterans, and the daughter of a World War II veteran, have established the Culpeper Veterans Recognition Committee. The group is developing a central monument in the Wine Street Memorial Park, which opened in April. Plans are to dedicate it on Nov. 11, 2009: Veterans Day.

Kudos to the veterans for taking up the cause of fellow vets. The Defense Department estimates that about 1,000 members of what is called “The Greatest Generation” pass on each day. There are a dwindling number of World War II veterans to honor those who gave their all in that conflict.

Committee members say they want the monument to be a simple one, a place to reflect on the sacrifices of the veterans. We think that is as it should be.
***

A MEMORABLE LIFE: For decades the name Ruth “Bootsie” Troilo was synonymous with a strong family and community service. If ever there was a pillar of the Brandy Station community, she was one.

Bootsie, who died Aug. 11 at the age of 86, may have touched more lives than any other member of her prominent family.

In 1928 Bootsie — then Ruth Rosson — and her family moved from Richmond to Brandy Station to establish Rosson’s Gas Station and Ice House.

Over the course of her 68-year marriage to husband Joe, Bootsie served as a seamstress of the Brandy Station Bears baseball team, operator of The Grill restaurant and a partner in what be-came Rosson-Troilo Motor Company.

She was a member of the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Auxiliary and the Brandy Station Elementary PTA. She also served in the Brandy Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy and the Culpeper Bicentennial Committee of 1976. She was also an avid golfer and 4-H leader.

She made Brandy Station — and the larger Culpeper community, better by her involvement. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be missed.