November, 2019
Lincoln – It's Veterans Day. In past years I've noted family members who served our country. This year, special remembrance is due two friends, Dick Ratzlaff and Rich Brenning.
We were in the same Navy ROTC unit at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and often travelled together around the Midwest as part of our Navy basketball team. Both were mainstays: Dick was point guard, Rich power forward. One year, 1963, our team was undefeated in about twenty local and regional games and tournaments. It tight spots, Rich could always be counted on to hit a jump shot from the corner, and Dick would come through with one of his many steals.
Dick Ratzaff, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, was shot down over Vietnam in 1966 and became a POW for seven years. He earned a Silver Star for his resistance. He never fully recovered and died in 1981.
Rich Brenning was lost at sea in 1969, flying off USS Ticonderoga. Lincoln was his hometown.
Still miss you both.
