RANGER CHECKPOINT

January 2026

A Message From the National Ranger Memorial Foundation's Scholarship Chair

Dear Ranger Family and Friends,

I’m CSM (Ret) Mike Kelso, Scholarship Chair for the National Ranger Memorial Foundation, and I’m writing to remind you that we are still accepting scholarship applications for the Kenneth C. Leuer / Joseph S. Stringham Scholarship Endowment through March 1.

If you are a U.S. Army Ranger—Active Duty or Retired—or an immediate family member, I encourage you to apply today. The application and full details are available here:

CLICK HERE

This scholarship program exists for one reason: to help Rangers and their families pursue education and build strong futures. Since our inception in 1992, the National Ranger Memorial Foundation has distributed $925,000 in scholarships to Rangers and their family members. That impact is real—and it only happens because people step up and support it.



To everyone who has donated, sponsored, purchased memorial stones or replicas, or helped spread the word: thank you. Your support directly changes lives.

If you’d like to help us continue this mission, please consider making a one-time or recurring donation. All donations are tax deductible, and every contribution strengthens the scholarship program. You can give here:

CLICK HERE

You can also hear directly from one of last year’s recipients about what this scholarship meant to them here:

Thank you again for standing with the National Ranger Memorial Foundation.

Please share the application link with any eligible Rangers and immediate family members in your network—we don’t want anyone missing this opportunity.

Rangers Lead the Way!

CSM (Ret) Mike Kelso

Scholarship Chair

Welcome to our newest sponsor!

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 their sponsorship and look forward to welcoming others in the months ahead.

From Ranger Class 02-26, we proudly congratulate the Rangers pictured below for their outstanding performance! From L to R: Ranger Gabriel Buxton, Officer Leadership Award; Ranger Egan Copeland, Distinguished Honor Graduate; Ranger Dakota Wood, Enlisted Leadership Award. In recognition of Ranger Copeland's outstanding achievement, the National Ranger Memorial Foundation will dedicate a stone in his honor at the Ranger Memorial. Rangers Lead The Way!

Eight graduates of Ranger Class 02-26 were baptized by Chaplain Price

Ranger Class 02-26 Awardees with family members

Allied student Capt. Thakur stands with fellow graduates of Ranger Class 02-26

The Story Behind the Stone: Robert E. Passanisi

From a "kid from Brooklyn" to a celebrated war hero, Robert Passanisi's life was one of remarkable determination and service. Born in 1924 as the youngest of twelve, he learned radio repair as a teenager, a skill that would prove crucial in his military career. In 1942, moved by the war film Bataan, the 17-year-old was so eager to enlist that after being turned away by the Marines, he altered his birth certificate to join the Army.

Although his radio skills were put to use, Passanisi sought more action and volunteered for hazardous duty in the China-Burma-India Theater with the famed Merrill's Marauders. As a radio operator, he adapted to the brutal conditions of jungle warfare, even coming to appreciate the “stinkin’” mules that carried their essential supplies. During the campaign for Myitkyina, he suffered from malaria and dysentery, losing 60 pounds. Despite this, his resolve was unshakable, and he volunteered to return to combat before he had fully recovered. He later credited the "free-thinking aspect of the American soldier,” particularly Merrill’s Marauders, as a decisive factor in winning the war.

After being discharged in 1945 as a staff sergeant, Passanisi opened a radio repair shop, finished his high school education, and earned a degree in electrical engineering. This led to a successful civilian career with several aerospace and electronics firms.



SSG Passanisi's lifelong dedication to his military brothers extended far beyond the battlefield. Starting in the 1950s, he began attending annual reunions for Merrill's Marauders veterans and, over time, became the unit's dedicated historian, tirelessly helping veterans' families locate military records to find closure. His unwavering commitment and exemplary service were recognized with numerous accolades, including the Bronze Star Medal, induction into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2016, and the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal in 2020 for his significant contributions to the Marauders and the broader Ranger community.

Robert Passanisi passed away in 2022 at age 97, leaving a legacy of courage, honor, and commitment. Rangers Lead The Way!

What's the Story Behind YOUR Stone? Email us at Blair@RangerMemorial.org or 

Molly@RangerMemorial.org.

We recently revamped our merchandise line! Take a few minutes to see what's new - from apparel to collectibles - and find something for yourself, family member, or fellow Ranger.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

Our next engraving period will be this spring. Order a stone for yourself, family member, or Ranger buddy by clicking below.

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:

Purchase tickets at https://muradbid.com/app/public/bidapp/gallantfew

Anything going on in your area? 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 various projects in 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