In Remembrance  / Garnet Jenkins (Sister to Sgt David Dickinson/LRrP )

Remembering the Torres Family on this date & always...
With thoughts & prayers that you will be filled with
God's Peace, this Holiday Season...

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I am honored  / Julianna Lester
Cynthia, although I did not know your father personally, it was my honor to pay tribute to him and others like him on Veteran's Day. You must be so proud of him, I know I owe him my freedom. Close

~ In Tribute & Remembrance ~  / Garnet Jenkins (Sister to Sgt. David Dickinson )

   

         Do not stand by my grave and weep.
         I am not there, I do not sleep.
         I am a thousand winds that blow,
         I am the diamond glints upon the snow.
         I am the sunlight on ripened grain and
         I am the gentle autumn rain.
         When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
         I am that swift uplifting rush,
         Of quiet birds in circled flight.
         I am the soft star that shines at night.
         Do not stand by my grave and cry,
         I am not there, I did not die.

                             

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My Uncle  / Edward Mireles (Uncle)

Uncle Rudy spoke with a strong voice but had a big heart, I always looked foward to seeing him when Aunt Ines and he would come to visit in Robstown. We would talk about everything from politics to food, he always drove me to  never be satisfied, and keep wanting more, "always  stay ambitious, if you don't apply for that higher position in your work, the next person will and they will beat you to it" he always pushed me, thank you. I did apply for that higher position, and I got it. When I got word that I had been the new Industrial Hygeinest at my work place, the first person that I could only think of calling was my Uncle Rudy. I will dearly miss you, I am very proud to have been you friend and nephew. You helped me learn that nothing is impossible and that anyhting is possible, thank you.

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In Humble Tribute to Rodolfo Torres, Jr.  / Garnet Jenkins (Sister to Sgt. David Dickinson )


Dear Torres Family,

Please accept my Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy
regarding the loss of your loved one. 
I am Deeply Saddened, that I never had the honor of meeting Rudy.
My brother served in the same unit in Vietnam and through those men in that unit, that I have come to know... 
I have heard so many great things about Rudy and know that I have missed something very special, by not having the opportunity to meet him.

"I consider that our present sufferings.
are not worth comparing with the glory
that shall be revealed in us."
~ Romans 8:18 ~

I pray that the Peace of God and your treasured memories of Rudy, remain in your heart always and that this will give you comfort and strength through the difficult days ahead.

My brother was Sgt. David Dickinson, killed in action at
Binh Dinh, South Vietnam, 12~06~67.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Close

CLASS ACT  / Patti McWilliams-Keller (friend)

My first impression of Rudy was that he was a true gentleman
and what a class act.   He leaves us with those qualities.

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SGT. E-5 Co. "E" 52nd Inf. 1967-1968  / Rick Tedder (LRRP Ranger )
God bless all those fellow LRRP's that surrounded the family during this difficult time.  I pray that the Lord will comfort all those that are hurting from this loss

Very Sincerly 
Rick Tedder Close

Farewell / Larry Gant (fellow Ranger )
Farewell, my brother.

Larry Close

A Salute to A Great Man  / Jim Kraft (a fellow LRRP )
     I met Rudy in Vietnam in 1969 when I was a young man in the 1st Cavalry Division LRRPs.  Although not a senior NCO at that time, Staff Sergeant Torres was one of two Sergeants in the company everyone looked up to.  He was admired head and shoulders above the more senior ranking soldiers in the company.  Rudy was bigger than life.  My class of LRRPs were all in awe of him.
     I remember Rudy as a quiet man.  He was not loud.  But when he spoke, everyone became quiet and listened carefully for they knew he had something important to say.  Rudy was one of those very few men who keep calm in a crisis, who made you feel safe in combat.  I will never forget him.
     My deepest condolences to his family.

RUDY - I STAND AT ATTENTION AND SALUTE YOU!

Jim Kraft, Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, Retired Close

Thanks Commo Chief Extraordinaire, Lurp SSgt Torres  / Doug Parkinson (Student, Team Leader HHC Long Range Patrol, First Air Cav, '67-78' )
Rudy: Thanks for the training that kept us alive. The testamony to your dedication is how long you stayed with the Lurps to share your knowledge.  Our confidence as team members and team leaders was buildt on the foundation that operations personnel like you were available to pull us out of trouble...and we provided you with a lot of opportunity.
Thanks from all of us.
Dark Marauder Close

Rudy, the "GO TO GUY" in Commo!  / Jim Regan (1SG, Plt Sgt, Opns NCO )
First met in Dec '69. Was his First Sergeant for a week or so, then I went to the 1st Platoon. He was the main guy for anything and everything in commo. Set up the mountain relays and insured that the vital link of Commo so the Teams and the TOC radios etc,were reliable and ever functioning, even if it was 5 by!
 Always smiling, always moving. He was missed when he deros'd. 

RIP, Jim RLTW Close

Sgt. Torres Memorial  / Gregory Chavez (served with )
My thoughts are with Sgt Torres family. I ended up on a couple of our relays and Sgt. Torres was the head commo guy. He even pointed out a few things I never forgot. I'm sure He's with the rest of our deceased unit members. All our thoughts from the Chavez family. Close

My sincerest regret  / Timothy Greenly (E Co 52d Inf LRRP )
Rudy was one of the first men I met when I got to Viet nam and joined the unit.  He was a fine man and one of my heroes from that time period. He was one of our legends. Close

Solace / Dick "doc" Sweeney (LRRP's '67-68 )

I knew Rudy as our Sr. Communications NCO.  He drilled us on the effective 'sitrep' procedures that served us well as unfriendly foot steps were uncomfortably close....  he was all business on those occassions.... our status and safety were only concerns.  Back at base camp 'the hill or evans' he was quick with a smile and light hearted remark.  

When I think of Rudy I recall what Maya Angelou wrote....

And when a great soul dies,
After a period peace blooms,
Slowly and always
Irregularly.  Space fills
With a kind of
Soothing electric virbration.
Our senses, restored, never 
To be the same, Whisper to us.
He existed - he existed.
We can be.  Be, and be better 
For he existed.

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Cynthia, if you need someone to talk to or watch the boys... I am here!  / Nicole Simmons (friend of Cynthia )
Cynthia, after looking at the pictures, it made me get tears in my eyes & he wasn't my dad.  I am here for you if need someone to lean on...it defenitely isn't easy to not have a parent here anymore!! Close

What a team  / Doc Gilchrest (LRRP)

I have had the privilage and honor to have served with the finest men in America. As the years have passed and time has taken some of these men from us, I somehow, stand taller and prouder with each passing. Each one of these men was  unique in his personality and character. Honor and courage was the common ground that we stood on. There are no words and never enough tears to express my feelings of loss.

Rudy is now resting with the others who have gone on before. Those of us who knew them can only imagine the joy they must share.  If we let our imaginations drift, we can almost hear the laughter, rolling like thunder through the clouds of our memories. I can almost envision thier welcome to Rudy.

Commo is operational, and one by one we will make the rotation. We should have no fear.....we know who is there to greet us. I know there will be joy and peace, because, we as brothers, have parted the flames of Hell on Earth. LRRPS have led the way before us.

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My most precious and trusted friend  / John Page (Friend)
The memories of your long standing friendship and brotherhood have filled my soul with joy. The amazing Rudyisums have filled rooms and hearts with joy unspeakable. The life of a man is not determined by his bank account, size of house, cut of clothes, or the car he drove; BUT by the difference he made in lives and by the friends he left behind. I was so blest to have called you friend. Thanks for the difference you made in my life. Your name has always been honored in my home and you have and will be always spoke of in love. I miss our conversations and I know we had the world problems solved time and again. Rest easy my friend until we meet again. God’s Blessings on you and yours. Close

Rest In Peace, Hermano  / Ricardo Torres (brother)
Hermano:  I am missing our weekly conversations already.  I always enjoyed the perspective you brought to our varied topics.  May you finally be free of the anxiety caused by your breathing problems.  I know God has found a special place for a special kind of guy. Close

My Hero  / Cynthia Hernandez (daughter)
To a wonderful man that I was blessed to have in my life.  Dad, you are such an amazing man.  Your character portrays strength, courage, love, and so many other things.  I will always miss you, but you know that.  I am so very proud of you.  You fought so hard all your life, one thing or another.  You never quite and your faith was amazing.  You are truly an inspiration to us all.  I love you and please know that your memory will live on.  Close