The town of Richmond lost a local hero, James Daniel “Jim” Rippy, 75, this past week. Rippy was well-known for hanging flags along Main Street for 35 years. He was devoted to VFW affairs and later obtained the title of Service Officer for the State of Missouri. He is also known for changing the lives of hundreds of veterans in the area by fighting for their Veterans Administration (VA) benefits. The local hero conducted over 500 military funerals, fundraised for the VA memorial, escorted veterans each week to VA doctor’s visits, and was the main connection for veterans across the state of Missouri. Despite the health concerns he dealt with for a while, he was able to continue contributing to the community for as long as he could. His other involvements include a lifelong membership of the Camden Masonic Lodge, serving as city councilman from 1983 to 2003 and teaching flag etiquette at local schools. “The medical document says that my grandfather passed away because his heart was…