RANGER CHECKPOINT

October 2025

A Message from the Chairman:

Greetings Fellow Rangers and Friends,

The change of seasons is upon us. Your foundation leadership is back from the AUSA annual meeting in Washington, DC where, due to the continuing government shutdown, we unfortunately had to cancel the first “State of the Ranger” breakfast. We had partnered with the newly founded Ranger Legacy Foundation to host this breakfast to hear from current Army leaders what the status of Rangers is across our multi component force. I want to personally thank all of you who signed up to attend and simultaneously apologize for any inconvenience the cancellation may have caused. We will aim to host the breakfast again next year.

We’re within 30 days of the final Son Tay Raiders Reunion, which will be held November 19-21, 2025, at Ft. Benning, GA. We hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us as we honor the history, bravery, and legacy of these brave Raiders with the remaining 19 survivors. See the announcement in this newsletter for the schedule of events.

I want to publicly thank each and every one of our new and existing sponsors. No matter how large or small, every single donation helps care for your Ranger monument and helps your foundation continue to provide scholarships to Rangers and their family members. In fact, I had a young man approach me last week at the AUSA annual meeting, whom I had never met before, who thanked me for the scholarship that your donations provided. It was humbling to say the least.

Thank you all for what you have and continue to do for our community and our nation.

Rangers Lead The Way!

Larry Burris

Brigadier General, US Army (Retired)

The National Ranger Memorial Foundation is thrilled to welcome The Bottle Shop as our newest Bronze sponsor! Their address is 101 Southern Way, Columbus, GA 31904 and Website Here

We’ll be announcing sponsor renewals in next month’s newsletter!



We want to express our sincere gratitude to all of our valued sponsors — past and present. Your support, along with the unwavering dedication of the Ranger community, continues to make our mission possible. We deeply appreciate those who have renewed and look forward to welcoming others back in the months ahead.

Join Us: 55th — and Final —

Son Tay Raider Reunion

November 19–21, 2025

 Fort Benning, Georgia

We are honored to invite you to the 55th and Final Son Tay Raider Reunion—a three-day, one-of-a-kind gathering honoring the warriors who risked everything in the historic Son Tay Raid. Please make plans to join us as we support these heroes, commemorate their legacy, and ensure their stories continue to inspire future generations.

What to expect

• Three days of remembrance and fellowship with Son Tay Raiders, families, Rangers, and friends of the Regiment
• Ceremonies and programs that preserve the legacy of courage, teamwork, and sacrifice
• Opportunities to support through sponsorships and attendance

Details & Documents

Attached below you’ll find:

• An overview and detailed daily schedule for November 19–21
• Our remaining sponsorship opportunities

Special Pricing

We will announce active-duty and retired personnel pricing, later next week in a separate announcement.

For more information, please visit our website: www.rangermemorial.org

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact:

Blair Brown — (706) 687-0906 • blair@rangermemorial.org

We look forward to standing beside you as we honor these extraordinary warriors.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO/TO PURCHASE

ENTER TO WIN!

New and Revamped Ranger Merchandise Line Now Available!

We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new and completely revamped merchandise line—just in time for the holidays!

Two highlights we’re especially proud to share:

🎖️ Ranger Class T-Shirts – Whether you just earned your tab or graduated decades ago, wear your Ranger pride proudly with our new class shirts. A perfect way to represent your Ranger legacy!

🎄 Ranger Memorial Christmas Ornament – A unique and meaningful keepsake, honoring the spirit and sacrifice of our Rangers. Add it to your tree or give it as a gift to someone who shares your pride and respect for the Ranger community.

Take a few minutes to browse our complete new line of merchandise — from apparel to collectibles — and find something for yourself or a fellow Ranger.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

Tickets are available through October at:

WBS Charity Foundation's Raffle

CSM (RET) Gerry Klein & SSG Christopher Lyons

Congratulations to Class 10-31's Distinguished Honor Graduate: RGR (SSG) Christopher Lyons! A stone at the Ranger Memorial will be engraved in honor of this great accomplishment!

Christmas is around the corner, and we'll soon begin new stone engraving and placement. If you'd like to recognize a special Ranger, past or present, click below to place your order.

Already have a stone at the Ranger Memorial? Check out our

Commemorative Framed Stone and/or Desktop Stone Replica-

From Around Our Ranger & Army Communities:

Author David Lyle Williams is a former U.S. Army officer who spent over two decades collecting the memories of Darby Rangers, enabling him to compile an unprecedentedly thorough history of the unit. More than 160 Rangers speak here in their own words and voices, giving an intimate picture of their combat experiences. Dr. Williams is also President of the Descendants of WWII Rangers, Inc., honoring his uncle, Col. (Dec) James B. Lyle, 1st Ranger Battalion, 1942-1944. To purchase an endorsed copy, visit https://theroadtocisterna.com/ The book is also available at major retailers.

MG (Ret.) John C. Raaen Jr. was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his extraordinary service during WWII. The award was formally bestowed on September 17th as part of a special ceremony celebrating his contributions to the United States. At 103 years old, Raaen is the last surviving U.S. Army Ranger officer who stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and among the oldest Normandy veterans still with us. RLTW, Sir! 

Columbus Technical College held its official groundbreaking ceremony for the Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. VECTR Workforce Development Center. “This project honors the legacy of Col. Puckett while fulfilling a critical regional need,” said Martha Ann Todd, president of Columbus Technical College. The VECTR Center will be a beacon of opportunity, collaboration, and innovation, aligning education with workforce demands and supporting our military-connected populations every step of the way.

The Georgia Military Veterans VHOF Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 1 at 12:00 pm at St. Luke Ministry Center, 301 11th Street, Columbus, GA. Contact Debbie Freeman @ Debbie.Freeman77@Gmail.com or 706-575-9173.

Anything going on in your area that you'd like to share? Send details to Blair@RangerMemorial.org or Molly@RangerMemorial.org, and we'll do our best to announce it in next the Ranger Checkpoint.

Our mission at the National Ranger Memorial Foundation is clear – to honor and support Rangers and their families. Through the establishment and preservation of the National Ranger Monument, we aim to provide a tangible testament to the Rangers’ sacrifices and contributions. And our commitment extends beyond the monument itself: we aim to support Rangers and their families in other ways, including scholarships and other projects. It is through this mission that we hope to preserve the legacy of our Nation’s Rangers, ensuring their bravery and dedication are not forgotten. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today:



Ranger Memorial Scholarship

and Preservation Fund

Editor: Molly Stringham