Soldier mournedFamily, friends, military members honor Capt. Richie Cliff in an outpouring of love, grief By Brian Hicks (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Alan Hawes The Army 7th Special Forces Group funeral detail carries the casket of Capt. Richie Cliff during his burial Wednesday at Live Oak Memorial Gardens in West Ashley. Cliff, a member of the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, was killed last week, along with two others, while on combat reconnaissance patrol near Yakhchal, in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Additional storyFriends, family recall Lowcountry soldier, published 10/02/08 Charleston buried one of her own Wednesday. The circumstances were tragic, the ceremonies heartbreaking. But the people of the Holy City stood by the family of Richie Cliff in a moving show of honor and respect for their fallen soldier. They cried and they laughed in the pews of an Old Village church as they remembered Richie. They sang his praises, prayed for his newborn son, promised to watch over his family, and one day tell his son about the man that he was. They loaded his flag-draped casket into the hearse, and quietly fell in line behind it. And as the police closed roads from Mount Pleasant to West Ashley for them to pass, the rest of the city let his family and friends know exactly how they felt. When the nearly mile-long procession drove onto the Ravenel Bridge — Richie's last trip across the span — a road sign flashed the message "Capt. Richie Cliff died for our freedom." At the intersection of Interstates 26 and 526, a lone state trooper stood in silent salute to the motorcade. Beside Ashley River Road, a woman stood holding a handmade sign that read "Richie Cliff was a hero." But then, everyone who drove by already knew that. Capt. Richard Gordon Cliff Jr. was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Sept. 29, just 29 years, one month and two days after he was born a son of the Lowcountry. He left behind a young wife, a month-old son, and a family that loved him very much. "Thank you for being my brother, thank you for being my best friend," Eddie Cliff said in a eulogy. "I love you." Cliff, a graduate of Wando High School and Appalachian State University, had been in the Army for six years. He had completed two tours in Iraq, Ranger school and Special Forces training. He'd just earned his Green Beret, but that — and his countless honors as a soldier — did not say as much about him as the sheer number of military personnel who traveled here Wednesday, some from as far away as Washington state, to pay their respects and say goodbye. His fellow soldiers called him a born leader, a devoted friend and a dedicated family man. They described him as a man who always chose the hard right over the easy wrong. They recounted the mission in Iraq when he saved two downed helicopter pilots under enemy fire. They laughed that he once showed a decided lack of a respect for a half-million dollar fence when nature called — and then talked his way out of trouble when he was caught. They joked that no one fell asleep before Richie, lest their face become a canvas for his wicked Sharpie art. They said that he made them better people. "He worked hard, he played hard, and now his death is hard on us," recalled his friend and wrestling coach at Wando High, Scott Ferguson. "This is one of the saddest days of my life." Hundreds of people packed into Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church to "celebrate the life of one who left us too soon," as the Rev. Gary L.R. Bullard said. Meanwhile, dozens of members of the Patriot Guard Riders stood outside, ready to lead the funeral procession when it ended. Most of them didn't know Richie, but their mission, said Ron White, is to "honor and respect" the service of fallen soldiers. They did that, as much as the three-volley salute fired at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, the mournful playing of "Taps," the sad ceremony in which soldiers took the flag off Richie's casket and gave it to his widow, Stacy. That marked the end of a three-hour goodbye that, for Richie's family and friends, is really just beginning. They say that war is hell, but it's hard to say who feels it the most — a soldier or his family. But on Wednesday, the family learned that they are not alone in their grief. Somewhere, Richie Cliff knows that he is respected, missed, loved and honored. Charleston made sure of that. |
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Comments
This article has 10 comment(s)
Posted by Grinder on October 9, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
REST IN PEACE, SIR
Posted by dixechick77 on October 9, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May you rest in peace - to your family, wife and newborn - my sincere condolences. Our prayers are with you as you try to put the pieces back together. Thank you to all, for allowing your husbands, wives, sons, and daughters to give their lives to saving our freedom. God Bless.
Posted by shoelaces on October 9, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The visitation the other night was surreal. I didn't expect to feel so emotional but all the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and total strangers was very overwhelming.
I am so sorry for the Cliff family's loss, for Richie's widow, and most of all for baby Richie.
Posted by willie08 on October 9, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME!!!
END THIS WAR!
Posted by tootlebug012676 on October 9, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My office is across the street from the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church so we were able to watch out our windows as the Patriot Guard Riders showed the utmost respect by lining the road that Mr. Cliff's hearse would carry him to the church on...one last "parade" for a fallen hero. We could hear the entire church singing hymns and songs from across the street. Our parking lot was full of cars carrying mourners. It is a true mark of a person's character when the overwhelming show of support and sadness at their loss can touch a complete stranger who never knew the deceased. My co-worker and I watched the hearse approach, the Patriot Guard members all saluted (as did people casually walking through the neighborhood), nearby construction noises were silenced and cars in the Old Village all came to a halt and turned on their headlights in a show of respect (except for one jerk who couldn't bother to sit in line for a few minutes while the fallen hero's hearse made it's way across the intersection and she instead disrespectfully made a u-turn right in front of it). We both wept with heavy hearts to witness such an outpouring of love and respect...wept over a man neither of us had ever met...but never the less felt a loss over. I cannot fathom the bittersweet emotions that his young wife is experiencing...to have experienced the joy of bringing a precious new life into this world and the heartbreak of losing her best friend...all within a few weeks of each other. My heart and prayers are heavy for her right now. I have no doubt that that little boy will grow up fully knowing how much his father loved him and his country and what an amazing man he was to those that knew him...and to those of us who have been fortunate enough to read the wonderful accounts of his life after his tragic death. Rest In Peace and Godspeed.
Posted by Missing_Home on October 9, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tootlebug, Wow!
I can think of anything to say now.
Posted by hhcaweaver4 on October 9, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Growing up in Summerville, Jo has been such a landmark in our town. He was a faithful patron to my parents businesses until their retirement and my memory of him is longstanding since my very early childhood. His home backed up to our home for many years and his unique way of calling me "boy" and carring on that tradition to my own girls has left a memory that won't be forgotten. They don't make folks like that anymore. I feel certain he is dancing in heaven.
Posted by Xnavykat on October 9, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While I didn't know this man personally, I commend him for his bravery and may God Bless his family.
Posted by Marinemom on October 9, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a parent of a young service man overseas, my heart goes out to the family of this soldier. I can only imagine the pain and heartache this family is going through, along with the pride knowing that their son, husband and new father, was trying to make a difference. From reading this story, it is quite apparent, he did make a difference. I will keep you in my prayers. God bless you for raising such a fine young man.
Posted by shoelaces on October 9, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tootlebug01267:
Amen....and God's speed to Richie..
He will certainly serve as his son's guardian angel.