May 23, 2023
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Speaker of the House
2468 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0520
The Honorable Mike Rogers
Chairman, House Armed Services Committee
2216 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0103
Dear Speaker McCarthy and Chairman Rogers,
The National Ranger Memorial Foundation is deeply troubled by the recent decision of the leadership at Fort Moore (formerly known as Fort Benning) to remove the names of certain Rangers from the Ranger Memorial. This directive is based on a highly controversial interpretation of legislation passed by the 117th Congress, since enacted as Public Law 116-283, which has far-reaching implications for the families of the individuals named, as well as for the Memorial itself, which was constructed and is maintained solely by private donations.
We express grave concern for the impact of this decision on the families of those named, who are being denied the recognition and honor their loved ones earned through their brave service to our country. Furthermore, this decision undermines the integrity and significance of the Memorial itself, which stands as a symbol of the sacrifice and dedication of our Nation’s Rangers. In attempting to address the abominable treatment of our citizens of African descent, Fort Moore leadership has unfortunately taken a one-size-fits-all approach, which is itself abominable treatment of other citizen groups.
The individuals targeted by this directive include Col. John S. Mosby, a staunch abolitionist, U.S. Consul to Hong Kong, and assistant U.S. Attorney General, appointed after his extraordinary military service. The directive instructs the Foundation to remove Col. Mosby’s name from a granite wall panel, and also demands removal of the memorial paver bearing his name, as well as pavers bearing the names of George Bowman, Jackson Bowman, and William Quantrill. Regarding the Quantrill paver, the Foundation agrees that it should be removed and further suggests past leadership erred in approving its placement at the Memorial. The National Ranger Memorial Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to honoring the past and advocating for a fair and impartial future, while asserting that erasing names will not foster unity within the Ranger Community or our Nation, nor guarantee equality.
We urge all Americans to join us in the fight to overturn this directive and protect the legacy of our heroes as we stand in solidarity with the affected families and pledge to safeguard and defend the Memorial. Moreover, we ask the assistance of your offices in seeking a resolution to this issue. To that end, we draw your attention to President McKinley's address at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, in which he urged reconciliation based on the outstanding service of Southerners during the U.S. war with Spain. Congress's response to this plea was magnanimous and resulted in the Appropriations Act of FY 1901, in which Confederate soldiers were recognized as fellow countrymen deserving of the respect and honor accorded to U.S. soldiers. These laws are still in full force and effect to this day, and their effect must be balanced with the implementation of Public Law 116-283.
We must remember and learn from our history, but we must not erase it. Removing from the Ranger Memorial the names of those soldiers who supported the Confederacy but honorably served the United States of America thereafter is an affront to our shared heritage and values as a Nation. We call on you to unite with us in opposing this directive and preserving the legacy of our heroes.
If you have any concerns or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Joseph S. Stringham, BG, U.S. Army ret., Chairman, National Ranger Memorial Foundation at Joe@RangerMemorial.org. Col. Colin Mahle, the Garrison Commander at Fort Moore, has also stated that he may be contacted regarding this issue at colin.p.mahle.mil@army.mil.
We, the undersigned, strenuously object to the defacement and desecration of the National Ranger Memorial.
* Ranger Hall of Fame Inductee
** Distinguished Member of the Ranger Brigade Inductee
William F. “Buck” Kernan, GEN (R), USA (*) (**)
Former Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic
Former Commander in Chief, US Joint Forces Command
Kenneth C. Leuer, MG (R), USA (* Inaugural Inductee) (**)
Founder, National Ranger Memorial Foundation
Paul E. Vallely, MG (R), USA
President, Stand Up America
Thomas R. Csrnko, MG (R), USA
Joseph S. Stringham, BG (R), USA (*) (**)
Thomas C. Maffey, BG (R), USA
Roger B. Brown, Sr., MAJ (R), USA (*) (**)
Howard H. Mullen, MSG (R), USA (*) (**)
Donald E. Purdy, CSM (R), USA (*) (**)
Joseph J. Callahan, CSM (R), USA
Joseph J. Callahan IV, CPT (R), USA
Edward Clark, LTC (R), USA
Glynn W. Hale, COL, (R), USA (*)
Jonathon M. Davis, CWO5 (R), USN
Keith M. Nightingale, COL (R), USA (*)
David Hall, SCPO (R), USN
David C. Kanamine, MAJ (R), USA
Gail R. Ernst, CSM (R), USA (**)
William J. Filipkowski, SGM (R), USA
Richard Conant, USA, USMA Class of 1961
Nils C. Sorenson, COL (R), USA
John Walker, 1SG (R), USA
Jerry Mason, SSG (R), USA
Collin Hall, CSM (R), USA
Thomas Colvin, CSM (R), USA
Steven J. Murphy, CW3 (R), USA (*)
Tommy F. Shook, CSM, CPT (R), USA (*)
Thomas Cruise, CSM (R), USA
Larry D. Perino, COL (R), USA
Ranger Pat Kelley, Veteran, USA
Alfred J. Lamb, SGM (R), USA (*)
Ranger Timothy W. Swain II, Veteran, USA
Blain A. Reeves, LTC (R), USA, 1993 Best Ranger
Ash Hess, SFC (R), USA
Keith P. Jordan, CW3 (R), USA, SOMMA #645
Ranger CJ Hyatt, Veteran, USA
Jeff Williams, 1SG (R), USA
Christopher Pearson, SFC (R), USA
John Reid, 1SG (R), USA
David B. Haskins, CW4 (R), USA
Herbert L. Puckett, CSM (R), USA
John Breach, SFC (R), USA
Gordon Pullen, MSG (R), USA
Chris Kibler, CSM (R), USA
John Busick, SGM (R), USA
Adam G. Kimble, SFC (R), USA/USMC
Ranger Sean Menches, Veteran, USA
JB Spisso, SGM (R), USA
Gary Hovatter, COL (R), USA
John Edmonds, CSM (R), USA (*) (**)
Christopher L. Stathos, CAPT (R), USN
Patricia Spencer, HMCS (R), USN
Stevan A. Davis, LTC (R), USA
Mary C. Davis, Veteran, USA
Timothy Norris, SGM (R), USA
Perry Willette, CDR (R), USN
Ricardo O. Rivera, SSG (R), USA
Doyel Price, Jr., MAJ (R), USMC
Anthony J. Gonzales, CAPT (R), USN
Mark Olin, 1SG (R), USA
Shawn Smith, MSgt (R), USMC
Kerry Cannon, MSG (R), USA
Richard Fulgium, MAJ (R), USA
Clay C. Usie, CSM (R), USA
Richard D. Howe, LTC (R), USA
Ranger Stacy Roberts, Veteran, USA
Bret Ritterby, COL (R), USMC
Edward F. Lazarski, Jr., CDR (R), USN
Jonathon Nethercutt, 1SG (R), USA
Donald Cunningham, CWO3 (R), USA/USN
Ranger Matthew Sebenoler, Veteran, USA
James J. Mercer, COL (R), USAF
James L. Combs, Jr., MAJ (R), USMC
Richard J Smith, CDR (R), USN
Laurence E. Williams, Sr., CSM (R), USA
Ranger Andrew J. Anderson, Veteran, USA
Joel Garcia, SFC (R), USA
Robert A. Guy, COL (R), USA
Robert A. Heber, Jr., CPT (R), USA
Ranger Sidney McDaniel, Veteran, USA
Mr. Gary N. Brinkley, PhD
Jay Christy, CPT (R), USA
Archibald V. Arnold, III, COL (R), USA
Larry Redmond, COL (R), USA
Michael Kelso, CSM (R), USA (*)
David Libersat, CSM (R), USA
Samuel E. Hayes, III, COL (R), USA
Ranger Rick Pizzala, Veteran, USA
Ranger Jeff Campbell, Veteran, USA
Todd A. Spencer, 1SG (R), USA
Ms. Donna Lawrence
Ranger Bobby J. Jackson, Veteran, USA
Melvin J. Littig, COL (R), USA
Scott P. Smith, MAJ (R), USA
Edward A. Runci, LTC (R), USA
Lawrence A. Jordan, SGM (R), USA
James F. Dettloff, SFC (R), USA
Stephen B. Hunt, MSG (R), USA
David A. Morris, MG (R), USA
William J. Leszczynski,Jr., BG (R), USA (*) (**)
John R. Scales, BG (R), USA
Autrail Cobb, CSM (R), USA (*)
Barry D. Todd, CPT (R), USA (**)
Steve Greer, CSM (R), USA
Paul DeVries, COL (R), USA
Steven Wambold, SFC (R), USA
Mike Schroeder, SGM (R), USA
Henry W. Soukup, LtCol, (R), USMC
John J. Ellis, COL (R), USA (*) (**)
Edward Erb, CSM (R), USA
Brent J. Smart, CW3 (R), USA
Paul Spracklen, Veteran, USN
Ralph Borja, CSM (R), USA (*)
Mark Sickert, CAPT (R), USN
Ranger Dale Sizemore, Veteran, USA
Minor Swackhamer, 1SG (R), USA (**)
James Fowler, CSM (R), USA (*)
Dale Comstock, SGM (R), USA
Richard J. Smith, LtCol (R), USMC
Wendy A. Smith, LtCol (R), USMC
Doug Mullen, CPT (R), USA
Ranger Jim Tully, Veteran, USA
Diane Csrnko, LTC (R), USA
Scott Csrnko, Veteran, USA
Larry Ryland, SFC (R), USA
Timothy E. Santellanes, SSG (R), USA
Bobby Gallardo, CSM (R), USA
Dennis Dunn, 1SG (R), USA
George D. Ponder, CSM (R), USA (**)
William Dodge, MSG (R), USA (**)
Jerry M. Purkey, 1SG (R), USA
Clinton R. Hoover, MSG (R), USA
Gary O’Neal, CW4 (R), USA (*)
Cameron S. Price, Veteran, USA, 2001 Best Ranger
James S. Blesse, LTC (R), USA
Daniel J. Vogel, COL (R), USA
David Larkin, Veteran, USA
Richard Heugh, MAJ (R), USA
Ranger Chris Rivers, Veteran, USA
Michael R. Wagers, MAJ (R), USA (*)
William D. Block, 1SG (R), USA (*) (**)
Robert Archiable, MSgt (R), USMC
George K. Schaefer, CPT (R), USA
Mason D. Todd, SGT (R), USA
Brett Ritterby, COL (R), USMC
Mr. Mark Keel, Mark Keel Construction, LLC
Mr. George Humphrey, First Corps, Inc.
Joe Muccia, GySgt (R), USMC
James P. Toohey, LTC (R), USA
Jose Barreiro, SGM (R), USA
Roberta C. Crann, CDR (R), USN
David A. Nethken, CSM (R), USA (*)
Michael A. Garrison, LTC (R), USMC
Ranger Bob Bynum, Veteran, USA
Thomas G. Seidenwand, LCDR (R), USN
Molly A. Stringham, Veteran, USA
Gregory M. McShane, CWO3 (R), USMC
Luis A. Arroyo, SGM (R), USA
Donald M. Feeney Jr., MSG (R), USA
Michael S. Anderson, LCDR (R), USN
William K. Chin, CDR (R), USN
Gary L. Hinaman, USA, Author: “The Ranger”
Cristopher Schrag, CSM (R), USA
Edward E. Lewis, SFC (R), USA
Ranger Mike Burton, Veteran, USA
Ranger Brad Juneau, Veteran, USA
Don Hine, MAJ (R), USA
Erik O. Johnson, LCDR (R), US Navy
Ranger Al Newman, Veteran, USA
Gerry Kline, CSM (R), USA (*)
George E. Stratmann, Jr., MAJ (R), USMC
Samuel J. Di Bianca, COL (R), USMC
Mr. Joe Pollock, Groundskeeper, Ranger Memorial
Sam Spears, CSM (R), USA (*) (**)
Ranger Ron Books, Veteran, USA
Mr. John Slattery
R.A. Grimm, MAJ (R), USA
Ranger Michael J. Grimm, Veteran, USA
Clemens E. Lemke, SGM (R), USA (*)
Mr. Jim Schneberger, President, New Berlin Plastics
Ranger Peter Bostrom, Veteran, USA
Charles M. McKamey, 1SG (R), USA
Ranger Mark H. Morrissey, MAJ (R), USA
Ranger Dion Alvarado, Veteran, USA
Ranger Brad Gillenwater, Veteran, USA
Taft Yates, SFC (R), USA, SOMMA #33 (*)
Michael R. Fisher, CDR (R), USN
Ranger Samuel Schiro, Veteran, USA
Johnnie R. Downs, SFC (R), USA
Terry R. Keitzer, LCDR (R), USN
Steve Mattoon, 1SG (R), USA
Howard F. Barker, COL (R), USMC
Dr. Steven L. Brown, MAJ (R), USA
US Army Ranger Association, SE Region Commander
Art Attaway, Veteran, USA
President, 75th Ranger Regiment Association
Tracy B. Long, SGM (R), USA
National President, Sons of Mosby Motorcycle Association
Brendan Durkan, SGM (R), USA
President, Worldwide Army Rangers, Inc.
President, Hardrock Charlie Foundation, Inc.
Michael Chaney, SGM (R), USA
Vice President, Worldwide Army Rangers, Inc.
Leamond C. Stuart III, LTC (R), USA
President, Native American Indian Management Organization
Ms. Jonnie Melillo Clasen
WWII Merrill's Marauder Liaison Officer
Daughter, Merrill's Marauder & Korean War Veteran, Vincent Melillo
Ranger Hall of Fame Honorary Inductee
75th Ranger Regiment Association Honorary Member
Ms. Sherrie Battle McGhee
Gold Star Mother of Ranger Ryan C. McGhee, CPL, USA - KIA 05/13/2009
Blue Star Mother of Zachary S. McGhee, SSG, Army National Guard - 116th Virginia
Alfred J. Lipphardt, Veteran, USA
Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Dennis L. Smith, CSM (R), USA (*) (**)
Vice President, Darby’s Warrior Support, Inc.
Nickolas T. Neuert, SFC (R)
Operations Manager/Hunting Guide, Darby’s Warrior Support, Inc.
Ranger Thomas O. Nichols, Veteran, USA
Designer, The Historic Ranger Ring, The 75th Ranger Regiment Ring, The Ranger Hall of Fame Ring, The Ranger Memorial Print
Gerard “Butch” Nery, COL (R), USA
Former President, US Army Ranger Association
Ms. Lynn Jackson Towne
Member, Descendants of WWII Rangers, Inc.
Daughter, Lt. Maurice Jackson, E Co., 2nd Ranger Bn.
Mr. Tom Walker
Creator & Administrator, Faith and Courage, US Military Chaplains Exhibit
Exhibit Designer, Tennessee Museum of Aviation
2004 Honorary Chaplain, United States Navy
Ms. Cynthia StormCaller
Curator/Director of Tourism, Drummer Boy Civil War Museum, Andersonville, GA
