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RANGER CHECKPOINT OCTOBER 2026 | | |
A Message from the Chairman:
Fellow Rangers and Supporters of our Ranger Community,
Up front, I want to thank our sponsors and donors. We could not achieve our mission of maintaining the memorial and providing scholarships to Rangers and their family members without their support. We hosted our first Sponsor Recognition Social on September 16 at the Bo Bartlett Center in Columbus, Georgia and it was very well attended. We plan to make this an annual event moving forward.
Speaking of sponsors, Chick-Fil-A Tigertown, one of our Platinum Sponsors, has generously offered to host an event at their restaurant in Opelika, Alabama on November 11, Veteran’s Day. We will be on site where employees will ask customers to consider ‘rounding up’ their purchases as a donation to the Foundation. If you find yourself in the area, please stop by and say hello.
Year-end stone orders are ongoing. We are taking them now – consider a stone for yourself or another Ranger for the holidays.
The National Ranger Memorial Foundation team participated in this year’s Run Ranger Run, sponsored by the GallantFew Foundation. Under the leadership of our team captain, Molly Stringham, our team placed in the top 5 teams, logging 1297.85 miles and raising almost $7,000. Thanks to Molly for leading this effort.
Lastly, we were recently notified that the National Ranger Memorial has been selected as the site of the opening ceremony for the 2027 Best Ranger Competition – a first for the memorial and we could not be more excited. So mark your calendars for April 9 and join us as we kick off the competition at YOUR memorial.
Thank you for your continued service to the community and our nation.
Rangers Lead the Way!
Larry Burris
Brigadier General, US Army (Ret.)
| | We are honored to welcome Townsend Wealth Management, Johnnie R. Downs and Ken Couture as our newest Bronze Level Sponsors. | | |
The National Ranger Memorial Foundation is sustained by the generosity of individuals and companies who believe in our mission to preserve the iconic Ranger Memorial and support educational opportunities for Rangers and their family members through the Kenneth C. Leuer/Joseph S. Stringham NRMF Scholarship Endowment. Your support helps us continue this legacy for future generations.
To learn more about sponsorship packages, contact Blair Brown at Blair@RangerMemorial.org.
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The Story Behind the Stone | Ryan C. McGhee
Corporal Ryan C. McGhee was born on November 4, 1987, and grew up with a determination that would define both his athletic and military careers. After moving from Vermont to the Fredericksburg, Virginia, area, he attended Massaponax High School, where he became known for his work ethic and perseverance. Initially weighing around 140 pounds, Ryan set his sights on playing varsity football and worked tirelessly to transform himself into a standout defensive lineman. His dedication earned him the respect of coaches and teammates, as well as an offer for a partial football scholarship to Bridgewater College. Despite the opportunity, Ryan had already made up his mind. He was going to become an Army Ranger.
In August 2006, shortly after graduating from high school, McGhee enlisted in the U.S. Army from his hometown of Fredericksburg. He completed One Station Unit Training as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia, followed by the Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger Indoctrination Program, graduating from RIP in February 2007. On March 1, 2007, he was assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served as a Rifleman and Grenadier before later becoming a Weapons Squad Team Leader in D Company.
During his service, McGhee deployed four times in support of the Global War on Terrorism, including three combat deployments to Afghanistan. On May 13, 2009, during his fourth deployment, he was killed by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in central Iraq. His unit was engaged in an operation targeting a weapons facilitator and suicide vest cell known to be operating in the area. McGhee's courage, selfless service, and commitment to his fellow Rangers exemplified the values of the Regiment and left an enduring impact on all who served alongside him.
His legacy lives on through the CrossFit Hero Workout known as "McGhee," a 30-minute AMRAP consisting of five deadlifts, 13 push-ups, and nine box jumps. Performed by thousands of athletes around the world, the workout serves as a lasting tribute to McGhee's sacrifice and dedication to service.
His memory is also preserved in his hometown. In 2020, an Interstate 95 overpass on Guinea Station Road in Fredericksburg was dedicated as the Corporal Ryan Casey McGhee Memorial Bridge, ensuring that all who pass through the community are reminded of a young man whose determination carried him from the football field to the ranks of the Army's elite, and whose sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Rangers Lead The Way
| | From Around Our Ranger & Army Communities: | | |
Walking Historic Ground: A GWOT Ranger's First Journey to Vietnam
Visiting the very ground where an earlier generation of American soldiers and Rangers fought in Vietnam was a humbling experience for an OEF/OIF veteran visiting Vietnam for the first time. The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), an organization dedicated to addressing the lingering wounds of Agent Orange, invited the visit from the U.S. The experience echoed the spirit of Lt. Gen. Elmo Zumwalt Jr., author of Bare Feet Iron Will, who, after returning to Vietnam alongside his son to address the Agent Orange crisis, observed that if you want to sow the seeds of friendship, you have to do it on the ground where the war was fought. Witnessing VAVA's compassionate work underscored that for combat veterans of any era, the duty to honor sacrifice includes supporting reconciliation on historic battlefields.
| | Crawling in the Cu Chi tunnels | Visiting the American section of the Museum of Worldwide Arms standing next to a Green Beret and Ranger display | At the heart of VAVA's impact is the therapeutic, non-invasive detoxification program based on the research and discoveries of L. Ron Hubbard. A program which has helped U.S. Veterans and first responders suffering from toxic exposure and has improved the wellbeing of more than 10,000 Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange. Through structured regimens of sauna therapy, exercise, and nutritional support overseen by medical doctors, the program helps flush out the stored toxins from the body, offering tangible physical relief and an improvement in the quality of life of the program participants. | Ranger Gatton visiting one of the centers for victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam with the President of the Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education | For an OEF/OIF Ranger, seeing this program in action was a powerful reminder that the true character of a warrior is defined not only by performance in combat, but by the enduring commitment to bringing healing in its aftermath. Efforts are being made to support this program in Vietnam while making it more widely available to U.S. Veterans of all eras. To get more information or to help support this program, please contact Ranger Joey Gatton at joey.gatton@ranger.org. | The 75th Ranger Regiments Wins Best Squad 2026 | MOG Mile 2026 at USARA's Ranger Base Kinney | |
Held at the Flora-Bama Beach Bar & Restaurant, MOG Mile 2026 hosted by USARA’s Ranger Base Kinney was a tremendous success, drawing 55 runners and walkers and nearly 100 total participants for a day dedicated to fellowship, remembrance, and Ranger pride. The event featured a keynote address by BG (Ret.) Craig Nixon, who shared insights on service, leadership, and the enduring Ranger legacy. Attendees also participated in the solemn Once an Eagle Ceremony, led by CSM (Ret.) Tim Metheny, followed by the recitation of the Ranger Creed and a prayer offered by the Ranger Base Chaplain.
A special moment of the day was the presentation of the inaugural Ranger Base Gabriel B. Kinney Ranger of the Year Award to Ranger Cameron “Cam” Stalker Price. Established to recognize exceptional service and dedication to the Ranger community, the award will become an annual tradition at Ranger Base Kinney. Each recipient will receive a framed certificate and be honored with an engraved commemorative stone to be placed at the National Ranger Memorial.
For Ranger Cam Price, the recognition carries profound personal significance. His commemorative stone will be placed near that of his father, Ranger Jack Price, a Vietnam Ranger and Silver Star recipient who conducted long-range reconnaissance
patrols during three tours in Vietnam. The placement symbolizes not only Cam's contributions to the Ranger community but also a family's enduring legacy of courage, sacrifice, and service to the Nation.
The day served as a fitting tribute to Ranger heritage while strengthening the bonds that continue to unite Rangers across generations. Become part of the Ranger community in your area. If you're not yet a member of the United States Army Ranger Association, sign up at https://ranger.org.
| | Developed by military Veterans, MMA athletes, and passionate patriots, Patriotic Spirit Vodka embodies a steadfast commitment to American craftsmanship and national pride. Originally conceived as “Project Patriot,” the brand takes its name from its distinctive blend of red wheat, white corn, and blue corn. Among its founding shareholders are Veterans of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 75th Ranger Regiment, joined by a Navy Veteran who serves as the brand’s chemist and master distiller. See where to buy this award-winning vodka at https://patriotvodka.com/ | | Anything going on in your area that you'd like us to share? Send details of the event to RangerMemorial.org/contact-us, and we'll do our best to announce it in a future Ranger Checkpoint newsletter. | | |
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 Memorial, we aim to provide a tangible testament to the Rangers’ sacrifices and contributions. And our commitment extends beyond the monument itself - we support Rangers and their families in other ways, including scholarships and various initiatives throughout our Ranger communities. 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, Molly@RangerMemorial.org
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