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Dear Editor,

When waking this Wednesday morning, I was grieved to learn that Ralph Pierce has passed away.

For decades, Ralph and Shelby and their dear wives have provided a continuing example for our community, a lesson in courage and perseverance. After repeated disasters, each time they rebuilt their family-owned business, without begging for governmental grants or wailing about how unfair life is. And they went right on providing for a need in the community.

What a fine example for all of us! In today’s parlance, their business is an icon. And I plan to go by the place with the rooster standing above it, and buy a malt with two straws so that my lady and I can share it, like a couple of kids.

And we will drink a toast to Ralph.

John N. Gallaspy

Bogalusa