World War II Honoree

Rafael Echave

Hometown

Bisbee, Arizona

Honored By

Ralph A. Echave

Relationship

Son

SERVED AS AIR RAID WARDEN IN BISBEE, ARIZONA. HE WAS OWNER AND OPERATOR OF GEM CLEANING WORKS THAT HAD A CLEANING CONTRACT WITH THE ARMY IN FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA. HIS BID WAS FIVE CENTS UNDER HIS COST FOR EVERY PIECE OF CLOTHING HE HANDLED, SAVING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE WAR EFFORT. HE NEVER CHARGED SERVICEMEN TO PUT ON OR TAKE OFF CHEVRONS. REPAIRED ALL UNIFORMS AT NO COST AND MADE ALTERATIONS AT NO CHARGE TO THE SERVICEMEN. HIS PLANT WAS LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 80. SERVICEMEN WHO WERE GOING WEST OR EAST STOPPED THERE TO GET A RIDE. HE WOULD CALL THEM AND WOULD SPOT CLEAN THEIR UNIFORMS AND PRESS THEM SO THEY WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF OBTAINING A RIDE. THERE WAS A LITTLE RESTAURANT NEXT DOOR AND HE WOULD TREAT THEM FOR A MEAL. ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THUMB A RIDE, HE WOULD GIVE THEM A DOLLAR BILL. SEVERAL SERVICEMEN STOPPED BY TO THANK HIM AFTER THE WAR. WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES, HE WOULD THANK GOD THAT SOME OF 'HIS' BOYS HAD RETURNED. HE LOVED HIS COUNTRY.