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Posted: 01/08/2012 Name: Webmaster Message: For Ranger Run information, contact Maj Daubert at Camp Merrill. |
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Posted: 11/07/2011 Name: Mark Jordan Message: ...USMRA Meeting Minutes...3 Nov 11 ...With a group of visitors attending, Steve Hawk, President, started the meeting with a general greeting and welcome to those visitors before asking Willard Langdon, Chaplain, for prayer. Willard delivered one of his best yet. ...Steve asked for the minutes of last month's meeting to be read and, as posted on the USMRA Message Board, I only changed "hellions" for "rascals" deferring to our visitors' sensitivities. No one objected and minutes were approved by vote. ...Having no old business, except for a preliminary report about the Critter CookOut from Al Parten, "still 6 or 7 months away", attention was turned to the visitors with Steve reading a list of names in the group. Our Doug Perry being one. ...A spokesperson for the group informed us about a small cemetery, Shady Grove Cemetery, established in 1857, down Camp Road on August Lane across from Roy Close's old place. Originally 2 acres given to the Methodist Church, the church wants to get rid of it, calling it "unoccupied territory" and the family is asking us, as a nonprofit organization, to take ownership of it on a Quit Claim Deed and help in the continued maintenace of the cemetery. Rangers would be allowed to be buried there and the last time it was used was 15 years ago. ...Doug Perry spoke of 3 Civil War Veterans, a Blue Ridge Rifle and family members of the Black, Gaddis and Saine families, to which he's related to, as being buried there for generations. Doug himself has the final plot in the cemetery on Camp between the motor pool and the planning bays for Charlie Company. ...Doug went on to suggest we form a 3 man committee with our Chaplain, Willard, heading it up. Steve asked Dan for advice and Dan said to take it as a donation at fair market value for the total acreage and we don't pay taxes on it. ...the group's spokesperson spoke of it being originally 2 acres but land sales of adjacent properties have reduced the size to 1.2acres. Right now Kelly Smith owns the surrounding property but we do have a paved road directly onto the property. ...As Willard found his opening, he expertly focused on the wisdom of experience of our more senior officers pointing out that we had 3 colonels in attendance tonight. As great an honor as it would be to head up such a committee, Willard took the focus off of himself and onto others in the group "probably more experienced in such matters". Genius in action. ...Doug asked for Keith Antonio's input and Keith considerately suggested that the visitors be allowed to leave and we'd be able to continue discussing the matter and get back with them later. For those who don't know our Keith Antonio was selected as Honorary Colonel of the Ranger Training Brigade, recently nominated by LTC O'Brien of CFM. ...Bob Suchke filled us in on the physical condition of the property with an overhanging tree that needs to be dropped and the cost involved in clearing such problems out. Doug Perry said there was about an acre left for new burials, with only .2 or.3 acres used already. ...Roy Close spoke of the merits of having the stewardship of the property now and passing it off in a few years. ...Keith Antonio spoke of the liability and costs of maintenace being paid for by the family as we'd supply the labor. ...Dan Rhodes spoke of the need for liability insurance; Doug reminded him the Methodist Church didn't have liability insurance and Dan countered with our sue-happy society today and how necessary coverage would be. Steve mentioned groups like Boy Scouts having their own insurance. ...Conversations went on for several more minutes. Then Steve called for a Straw Vote...those in favor to take the property outnumbered those opposed 4 to 1. ...A committee of Roy Close, Steve Caldwell, headed by Bob Suchke is meeting at the cemetery Tuesday at 1300. Bob's cautiously optimistic yet open minded on the extent of work necessary to get the place on shape. Steve Hawk said getting his uncle's plot in Oklahoma this summer in 117 degree heat didn't help him any. ...the decision wasade for the committee's report next meetin, 1 Dec and we'd be in touch with the families after that. ...Doug Perry explained the VFW was wanting to put a "Welcome RANGER Class 1-12" with "RTLW" (Doug's quote)...Rangers Lead The Way sign to greet incoming classes. Someone said that no Rangers would see it as they'd be asleep til the buses stopped at Camp Merrill. Steve spoke of deuce and ahalfs and stopping in Fayetteville. Bob Suchke asked how hi-tech it was and how much it was gonna cost us. Doug used his fourth 'dam*' to accentuate how tough of a crowd he had to work tonight. A vote was taken with only Sonny Bragg, VP, opposing. Lots of laughter and chuckling. ...Dan brought up the Christmas Fund and we resolved to leave it empty since it hasn't been used in years and treat every request for need on a case by case basis. ...Al Parten asked if anyone goes on the message board other than himself and Doug Perry. ...Steve asked our attending MSG about Thanksgiving turkeys and an ability to help out. Two soldiers will be here on Camp he said. ...Sonny Bragg asked about why December 10th is important and explained this year how the Ranger Christmas Party is being held before rather than after Christmas like last year. And that more of our organization went. Doug explained it was invitation only...that Bob Suchke used to get one but didn't go.. Sonny ended with more should go if they'd let someone know they wanted an invitation. ...with no further business the meeting ended after a full 55 minutes as Bob Suchke again declined to end it. ...respectfully submitted... ...Mark E Jordan, S1... |
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Posted: 10/04/2011 Name: J Massey Message: Thanks Bob. There is no help for me.....period. I should be home for the Jan. & Feb meetings so i'll holler at you then. I just re-read the instr. letter. |
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Posted: 10/03/2011 Name: Bob Williams Message: Jerry, Simply go to our Scholarship Fund page and follow the instructions listed there. I'm sure your daughter can help with the big words. Hope all is well in your neighborhood. |
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Posted: 06/30/2011 Name: DAWN Message: IVAN ALSTON, I HAVE TO SAY MEDICAL SCIENCE HAS COME A VERY LONG WAY! Jack Ivan's brother said they are 99% sure Ivan will make it! THANK-YOU GOD. The doctors are working on saving the arm and both of his legs. It was looking pretty grim, but the family is making decisions and Ivan did not lose limbs like I was told, the doctor did not know if they could save them. Please keep praying! |
