March 2006
2006 is here and the events for this year are already stacking up. The first event is to Honor Staff Sergeant Johnston Dunlop KIA 16 April 1968 at the US Mountain Ranger Association, Fallen Ranger Memorial, Camp Frank D. Merrill, Dahlonega, Ga., on Saturday 13 May 2006. Each year at the 5th RTB Open House, the USMRA has the honor of placing the names of Fallen Rangers on a road sign at the bridge that crosses the Etowah River on Camp Frank D. Merrill. Friends and family members are invited to attend and help honor our fallen comrades. Every student who has trained at Camp Frank D. Merrill has crossed this bridge at some time during his time in the mountains. As the Ranger students walk in the shadow of this sign, they can be inspired by the dedication to the "Ranger Way" that each man named there represents. The Ranger Camp is located in the Mountains just outside of Dahlonega, Ga. Go to www.usmountainrangerassociation.org and the link to the 5th RTB Open House for directions and schedule of events for 13 May 2006. It is hoped that as many as possible of our Company Members and their families will attend this Ceremony to Honor our Fallen Comrade. The 5th RTB Open House is a full day of Rangers in Action Demos, Equipment Displays, Fun Runs and comradery and just gets bigger and better every year. Please come out and Honor our Fallen Comrades and enjoy a day of fellowship!! Mac has arranged for a group rate at the Dahlonega Days Inn (Hwy 19 & Hwy 60), 833 South Chestatee, Dahlonega, Ga., (706) 864-2338. This Inn is located in an area with easy access to all amenities. He has turned this event into a Mini-Reunion for all who wish to attend and those who will not be able to attend the Mini-Reunion in early August 2006 in California which is being put together by Ron Tessensohn and Bob Hernandez or the regularly scheduled Company Reunion in Orlando, FL, in April 2007. Hopefully some will be able to attend all these events and make them all a great success!! Thanks go out to all those who are involved in organizing these upcoming events!!
Welcome Home 2006 is scheduled to take place from the 11-18 of June 2006 in Branson, Mo, and will also be the site of the 75TH Ranger Regt. Assoc. Mini-Reunion for all those who wish to get together for this off year gathering. It should be a great time and all who attended last year said it was one of the best. This is not the official 75th Reunion and the 2007 regularly scheduled Reunion will be at Columbus/Ft Benning. Come out and have some fun if you have the time!! Hope to see you there!! You can find all the info on Welcome Home 2006 on the 75th website at www.75thrra.org or by searching at www.welcomehome2006.com.
Don't forget the Ranger Rendezvous and Ranger Hall of Fame in Ft. Benning, Ga. this summer (dates to be announced).
The last Patrolling and Company Newsletter that I put out were submitted prior to the passing of our good friend and comrade Emory Parrish and therefore I was not able to express our condolences and sympathy to Shirley and the Parrish Family. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family Shirley, Emory is greatly missed by us all!! He was an OUTSTANDING WARRIOR AND FRIEND TO US ALL!!!! HOOAH!!!!RANGER/LRP/LRRP LEAD THE WAY!!!! IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. Our thoughts and prayers also continue to go out to Roy and Joyce Boatman and their family, Mrs. Michele Boatman (wife) and her children Darell Jacob (17) and Lauren(14), son and daughter of Gunnery Sergeant Darrell Boatman, USMC, KIA 11-05, REST IN PEACE, SEMPER FI !!!
It is good to hear that Top Maushardt is doing better and we look forward to seeing him and his family at upcoming events when his health allows him to do so!!!! I hope you will send in your thoughts to Jonesy for the Newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you Top!
Thanks to all who contributed to the Ranger Family Fund this past year and made a" Very Merry Christmas" for many Ranger Children and their Ranger Families. Please continue to contribute to the fund throughout the year as this fund also supports the Ranger Families on an ongoing basis. Lets continue to LEAD THE WAY!!!!
Well folks that's about it for now and I hope to have more to report to you after the upcoming events which I will be attending. A BIG HOOAH!!!! TO YOU ALL, STAY SAFE AND KEEP THE FAITH!!! RANGER/LRP/LRRP LEAD THE WAY!!!!
Bob