My next event was the RANGER HALL OF FAME CEREMONY at Ft Benning, Ga. This event proved to be emotional and rewarding for all those who attended for the Induction of Ranger Sgt Robert Lamar Bryan KIA 13 July 1970 RVN, into the RHOF. Robert's twin sister Rebecca (Bryan) Myers received the Medallion on his behalf and spoke of the pride she shared with the Ranger Community and the love of her brother in her address to the attendees. The ceremony was also attended by other family members, friends and RANGER/LRP/LRRP as follows: Mr. Alan Myers (husband of Rebecca), Mr. Larry Bryan (brother of Sgt Bryan) and his wife Marlene, Mr. Lamarr Bryan (nephew of Sgt Bryan) and his wife Pamela, Mr. Shafe (high school friend of Sgt Bryan) and his wife Mrs. Shafe, Company E 75th Inf Ranger RVN Comrades of Sgt Bryan, Rgr Bob Copeland, Rgr Brent Gulick, Rgr Marshall Larsen, Rgr Greg Whitson, Rgr Terry Leishman, and Rgr Jim Godbolt with his wife Mrs Godbolt. I wish to acknowledge, any other FRIENDS/ RANGER/LRP/LRRP, in attendance at the RHOF Ceremony, who I was not aware of and thank them for their support and presence!! Thanks go out to Steve Crabtree, President of the 75th Ranger Regt Assn and his wife, for extending a warm welcome to the Bryan Family and Co. E Members and friends at the RHOF Dinner and at the RHOF Ceremony. Thanks Steve!!
After the RHOF Ceremony we all went to the Ranger Memorial and paid our respects to our Fallen RANGER/LRP/LRRP COMRADES. Our group, friends and family members spent the remainder of the time at Ft Benning/Columbus having some exceptional meals together, exploring the Memorials on base, attending the RTB Demonstration at Victory Pond, applauding the graduating Ranger Class, as well as a couple of exciting trips to Ranger Joe to pick up some T shirts and other coveted items of interest. We had memorable social gatherings in the evenings looking at albums, reminiscing about Bob and our Vietnam days together, as well as Bob's youthful experiences with his family and friends. In all it was a grand time, with times of reflection, sorrow, laughter and bonding of our extended RANGER/LRP/LRRP FAMILY. We all said our goodbyes as members of our party departed at various times exchanging best wishes and a promise to get together again soon. We look forward to attending the Dedication of a new section of the Colon, Michigan Museum, with a section set aside to Commemorate Ranger Sgt Robert Lamar Bryan in 2007. Details will be forthcoming on the exact date for this exciting event in Bob's HOME TOWN. Thanks to all who attended this remarkable event for this outstanding FALLEN WARRIOR, RANGER SGT ROBERT LAMAR BRYAN, Company E 75TH Inf (Ranger), Team Leader 1-7, HOOAH!!!!RANGER/LRP/LRRP LEAD THE WAY!!!!
'RANGER SERGEANT ROBERT LAMAR BRYAN (KIA) RHOF CITATION'
Sergeant Robert L. Bryan is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his Conspicuous Gallant Service to his Country and Devotion to Duty while 'Leading The Way' in combat operations, against enemy forces, in the Republic of Vietnam, exemplifying the RANGER CREED, 'RANGER LEAD THE WAY'!!!! Sgt Bryan volunteered for Ranger Operations with Co E 75th Inf (Ranger) Abn 3rd Bde 9th Inf Div in Sept 1969. Ranger Bryan exhibited exceptional leadership skills and was a tenacious Warrior who gained the respect of his fellow Rangers. On 30 April 1970 he received the Silver Star for Gallantry in action. As TL 1-7 on an overnight Aquabush, Sgt Bryan positioned 3 men about 75 meters from the shore leaving the remaining members in the boat. Spotting five enemy 200 meters from his location, he exposed himself to engage the enemy killing one. Leading his men through intense hostile fire, he heard someone whistle. Spotting an enemy 20 meters away he exposed himself and killed him with a grenade. While directing his team to their boat he spotted two enemy sampans approaching and as the insurgents initiated contact, Sgt Bryan exposed himself to the fusillade to direct his teams fire, killing four enemy on the sampans. While sweeping the contact area the team received intense fire from an enemy concealed in the nipe 10 meters away. Sgt Bryan reacted to the critical danger and charged the insurgent, killing him at point blank range. Sgt Bryan received a second Silver Star on 11 June 1970 for killing numerous enemy while exposing himself without regard for his own safety and caring for wounded team members. Sgt Bryan continued to lead his team in the Warrior tradition, leading by example, encouraging and inspiring his fellow Rangers to give 100% and then some. Ranger Sgt Bryan while conducting a visual recon in a LOH on 13 July 1970 was KIA while exchanging fire with an enemy ground element. His dedication to his fellow Rangers, duty and mission directly contributed to the high rate of efficiency and success of Ranger Operations, conducted against enemy forces by Echo Rangers, exemplifying the RANGER CREED, 'RANGER LEAD THE WAY'!!!!
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS OF RANGER SGT ROBERT LAMAR BRYAN
-Silver Star Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
-Bronze Star Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster with 'V' Device
-Purple Heart Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster (Purple Heart Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster-Posthumous award)
-Air Medal
-Army Commendation Medal with 1st through 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster with 'V' Device
-Army Good Conduct Medal (Posthumous award)
-National Defense Service Medal
-Vietnam Service Medal
-Vietnam Campaign Medal
-Combat Infantryman Badge
-Expert Badge with rifle, automatic and mortar bars
-Sharpshooter Badge with pistol bar
The next event was the gathering in L.A. organized by Tess (Ron) Tessensohn and Bob Hernandez our California connection. This turned out to be a great gathering of the following: Ron Tessensohn, Bob Hernandez, Bob Copeland, Marshall Larsen, John Berg, Greg Foreman and his wife Sharr, Don Andrews, Gerald Cody, George Mattie Mathews, Ben Fagardo and his wife, Shirley Parrish and daughters Karen and Crystal. On Thursday we just sat around and had a few drinks and viewed some photos. On Fri. one of the adventurous things we did was take a walk at Venice Beach and observe the sometime not so beautiful people walk by, for example an elderly man heavily tanned wearing a thong (more like a G string) with a tattoo on his left buttock. This really got everyone's attention and I won't even mentioned what this scene appeared like from the front, You'll have to ask Bob Hernandez at the next reunion about this view!! Some did a little shopping as there was an abundance of shops and vendors to drop into and make a purchase if you wished. The day was sunny and hot and everyone had a great time. In the evening we went out to dinner and enjoyed the company of all present. On Saturday we visited during the daytime and then went to the VFW in the evening for our banquet. After a few drinks and some good food the draws took place and Shirley won a plaque created by Tess which of course was a much sought after item. The second plaque was won by Ron Imel 1st Div which he thoughtfully donated back for a second draw as he had already won a Ceramic Cast Black Beret, thanks Ron for being so generous. Mike Callis 4th Div won another plaque designed for our guest RANGER/LRP/LRRP draw, Shirley also won one of the Ceramic Berets. Everyone including Shirley, Crystal, Karen and the guest Ranger/Lrp/Lrrps were presented with a Certificate of Attendance designed and signed by Tess which was also signed by all parties present. Thanks Tess for all the hard work in making up the Certificates for everyone. A big thank you to Tess and Bob Hernandez for making all the arrangements and hosting such a successful mini-reunion!! Hooah!!!! RANGER/LRP/LRRP LEAD THE WAY!!!! Tess presented me with a Scroll designed and signed by which I greatly appreciated and will frame and hang on my wall at home. Several other Scrolls were won by raffle by attendees. The following RANGER/LRP/LRRPS were present from other Units: Bob Giles 1st Cav, Ron Imel 1st Div, Mark Miller E 20 (LRP) C Ranger, Mike Callis 4th Div, John Krone 4th Div and Art Dolick C Company Ranger. A big thanks to all our guest RANGER/LRP/LRRPS who attended, we greatly appreciated your company and comradery. On Sunday we all had breakfast together as we did on previous days and said our good-byes. John Berg, Tess and I stayed on and went for a tourist trip to downtown Hollywood and a tour in the rental car of the Beverly Hills area as well as downtown L.A. We had a good lunch at the Pig and Whistle Pub and then took a walk down the Blvd of Stars and visited the Kodak Center as well as other local sites. On returning to the Travelodge we booked a tour Universal Studio for Monday morning. On Monday we hopped on the tour bus and away we went for a day at Universal. We accomplished a lot in 6 hours taking in many of the featured rides and shows such as Water World, Back to the Future Ride, Jurassic Park Water Ride( got soaked on this on), Back Draft and of course we did the Universal Lot Tour as soon as we arrived. A full day and a lot of fun at Universal!! On Tuesday morning John and me headed for the Airport at 3:30 a.m. while Tess went back to bed and checked out later in the morning. In summary we had great weather, fun, lots of refreshments and excellent food and best of all was the comradery we all shared!! THANKS TESS AND BOB FOR DOING ALL THE WORK TO MAKE THIS EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS!!! AS ALWAYS RANGER/LRP/LRRP LEAD THE WAY!!!!HOOAH!!!! We look forward to the Company Reunion hosted by Tess and Bob in 2009 in San Diego, Ca.!!!! and of course the upcoming Reunion in Orlando hosted by Ken Mellick in April 2007. Check the Reunion details on the company web at www.9thdivisionlrrp.com and make your reservations now for the hotel and plan to be there.
I believe you are all aware that we have been contacted by our PRU's from Vietnam and they are requesting some financial assistance in order to better their living accommodations. Bill Cheek and Stew Koontz as well as other company members have forwarded them some money to assist them in building a modest dwelling house. This is a good cause and as we know the PRU,s served us well and true, no doubt saving some of our lives with their skills at various points in time during our service in Nam. If you would like to help out please contact Bill Cheek at HC 83 Box 46C, Capon Bridge, WV 26711. Phone 1-304-702-0081. You can read the correspondence from the PRU,s to our company members on the company web site www.9thdivisionlrrp.com. They have to date raised about $900 and would like to get to the goal of $2000 if possible. This amount apparently would cover the cost of the new dwelling house. Please give this request some thought.
I would at this time like to express our sincere condolences to the Hughes family on the passing of Larry Hughes and his brother in a motor vehicle accident while they were on their way home to see their mother. I first heard of this tragedy while we were at Ft Benning, GA for the RHOF Ceremony and all in attendance were deeply saddened. Our prayers and thoughts continue to go out to the Hughes Family. Larry was a well known LRP in the Veterans Community and highly thought of by all, we will miss Larry and all he stood for as an advocate and friend for all Veterans. God Bless!!
Well folks it is time for me to sign off, all the best to you and yours, STAY SAFE AND KEEP THE FAITH!!HOOAH!!RANGER/LRP/LRRP LEAD THE WAY!!!!
Bob