May 2006
Well folks we had an excellent time in Dahlonega, Ga. at the 5th Ranger Training Bde Open House on 13 May 2006. At 10:30 hours we all attended the US Mountain Ranger Association FALLEN RANGER MEMORIAL and honored our own Staff Sergeant Johnston Dunlop, KIA 16 April 1968 who was inducted into the FALLEN RANGER MEMORIAL. After I read the Induction Citation Hilan Jones, Johnston's best friend who served with him in Vietnam came forward to the podium and addressed the gathered Company E Unit Members as well as all those present. Jonesy spoke of the selfless acts of Johnston, his love of life and his unit members, as well as his dedication to duty. Jonesy did a superior job of conveying the feeling of loss experienced by all, when Johnson gave his life, trying to prevent his comrade from falling into the hands of the enemy after he had been wounded. He then made sure on finding his comrade dead that he was evacuated from the contact. As a result of these selfless and brave acts Johnston was twice wounded and died as a result of his valorous efforts. Staff Sergeant Johnston Dunlop posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross for his exceptionally valorous actions on 16 April 1968. His name has been placed on a Street Sign along with 5 other honored Fallen Warriors. This sign will be moved from the Ceremonial area to a sign post on a bridge that crosses the Etowah River on Camp Frank D. Merrill. 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. You may view the Citation and picture of Staff Sgt Dunlop at www.usmountainranger.org. Those who attended also had the pleasure of taking in the Equipment Displays, Fun Runs, Rangers in Action Demonstrations and the comradery of all those who were present. After Jonesy had spoken I invited all Company E members present to stand and be recognized by those present at which time they received hardy applause from all those present.
I would now like to recognize all who attended and personally thank them on behalf of Company E and the US Mountain Ranger Association for there dedication to Honoring our FALLEN WARRIOR STAFF SERGEANT JOHNSTON DUNLOP!!!!HOOAH, RANGERS/LRP/LRRP LEAD THE WAY!!!!
In attendance were the following unit members and unit family members: Bob Copeland, Hilan and Delores Jones, Clancy and Connie Matsuda, Matt Matsuda, Roy and Sharon Barley, Marshall Larsen, John Berg, Ken McConkey, Greg Foreman, Bob Hernandez, Doug McCallum, Elbert and Gayle Walden, Kenny Walden, Ray and Joyce Sonnier, Freddie and Sherry Jenkins, Marty Finfrock, Bill Cheek, Tom Eggleton, Sal DiSciascio, Jimmy Booth and his son Jimmy and Rick Stetson. Unable to attend were Roy Nelson (in hospital for tests), Fred Wheeler and Kenneth McCarn.
While at Camp Frank D. Merrill some visited the displays, saw an impressive Rangers In Action Demonstration, visited the PX, attended the all ranks club, had breakfast in the Mess Hall for $1.95 (what a deal), attended the Critter Cookout (US Mountain Ranger Assoc Members) and one of our own Rick Stetson ran and won the 5K race for 40 and over. WELL DONE RICK!!!!HOOAH, RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!!! Rick has participated in the Fun Run 4 times now!!
On Friday the 12th Doug MacCallum organized a trip by car to Helen an Alpine Village after breakfast, where we got time to tour the German venues and have a great lunch together. It was a sunny day and we didn't get rained on. After returning to the Days Inn we sat around the pool and visited with some refreshments. Six of the Ranger HALO jumpers who were staying at the motel joined us and we swapped some war stories and enjoyed each others company. A number of us got together and had dinner at the Corkscrew Cafe in Dahlonega after the Open House and Fallen Ranger Memorial on Saturday. The meal was great and on finishing we returned to the motel and sat around the pool again until it started to rain heavily. We called it a night and arranged to meet at 08:00 hrs for breakfast and good-byes Sunday morning.
Thanks to all that attended and thanks Doug MacCallum for arranging the accommodations and Jonesy for keeping us informed as to who was attending and encouraging all to come and honor our Fallen Warrior Johnson Dunlop.
The next event will be organized by Bob Hernandez and Ron Tessensohn in LA, I quote from Bob's email, "On behalf of the 9th Division, Ron "Tess" Tessensohn and Bob Hernandez would like to extend an invitation to all LRRP-RANGER UNITS to attend the up-coming mini reunion planned for this Aug. in L.A. This informal get together is to promote comradery between all our LRRP-RANGER brothers. There will be nothing formal, just causal with lots of beer, pizza "n" comradery. The reunion will be held at the Travel Lodge located near the L.A. International Airport, (L.A.X. South). The address is 1804 E. Sycamore Ave, El Segundo Ca. 90245. Call 310-615-1073 to make reservations. Mention 75th Rangers and the rate will be $75 per night. Rooms are booked for Aug. 10 thru 13. There is a shuttle service from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 4:30 p.m. till midnight. Please make your reservations early so we can add rooms as needed. Anyone with questions can call "Tess" at 310-710-4201 or Bob Hernandez at 925-757-8729. I will email John Chester to see if we can get a write up in Patrolling, unless you have a better suggestion, thanks for the support in advance. Tess & Bob
Be at this Mini Reunion if you can and I am sure you will have a great time!!
Remember Welcome Home 2006 is scheduled to take place from the 11-18 June 2006 in Branson, Mo. and will also be the site of the 75th Ranger Regt. Mini Reunion for all who wish to get together for this off year gathering. This is not the official 75th Reunion and the 2007 Regular Reunion will be at Ft Benning, Ga. You can find the Welcome Home 2006 info on the 75th website at www.75thrra.org or by searching at www.welcomehome2006.com.
Ranger Sgt. Robert L. Bryan KIA 13 July 1970 will be honored at the RANGER HALL OF FAME on Thursday the 29th of June 2006. This ceremony will be conducted at 1:30 p.m.(13:30 Hrs) at Marshall Auditorium, Building 4, Ft Benning, Ga. This building is named Infantry Hall and is located close to the Ranger Memorial at Ft Benning. Please come and celebrate the Induction of our Fallen Ranger Brother. The Bryan Family will be in attendance and Robert's twin sister Rebecca will be receiving the Medallion on behalf of Sgt Bryan and the Bryan Family. There are many things to do at Ft Benning and in the surrounding area so please plan to attend the Ceremony and stay a few days and enjoy the comradery of the Bryan Family and your RANGER/LRP/LRRP BROTHERS. I will forward the itinerary of additional on post activities as soon as I receive it to Jonesy to be fanned out. I will be arriving on the 27th of June and checking in at the Hilton Garden Inn,1500 Bradley Lake Blvd., Columbus, Ga. The reservation number is 706-660-1000. The RHOF is in conjunction with the Ranger Rendezvous. I will be leaving on Sunday 2 July 2006. Come out and Honor our Fallen Warrior and Hero!!!! I look forward to seeing as many as can make it.
Well that's about all I have for now except remember to schedule for the Company E Reunion in Orlando in 2007. I don't have the details yet but I will pass them along as soon as I get them. I believe it will be held in late April or early May. Ken Mellick is our point man for this Reunion and did an outstanding job along with the Parrish Family for the last reunion in Orlando. We will miss Emory in 2007 but will honor his service and friendship at the Memorial Ceremony with all our other Fallen Warriors. All the best to you and yours till next time. STAY SAFE AND KEEP THE FAITH, HOOAH!!!!RANGER/LRP/LRRP LEAD THE WAY!!!