FALLEN RANGERS 2007-2008

JOURNEY BY RON MACKEDANZ TO FT RILEY MAY 5TH 2009

DAGWOOD DISPATCHES

Ron Mackedanz, MG Brooks and wife

Ron Mackedanz, MG Brooks, and LTG McChrystal

Ron Mackedanz with LTC Kreis and the Brigade Trophy

Ron Mackedanz with 2/16 Rangers

On 5 May 09, I made a motorcycle trip down to Fort Riley with a friend of mine. He had business down there with a group that he works with, and being that it was the 4th Brigades ‘Dragon Week’, I decided it would be an opportune time to go down and meet with the 2-16 before they leave for the NTC at  Ft. Irwin this next week.

I had the opportunity to visit a friend in the TF 3-1 AVN (Nightmares), over on Marshall Field. Even got to see the Blackhawks, up close.

We then went over to Camp Funston and met CSM Kulhert and LTC Luke, along with the battalion XO and several others. We were invited into Col. Luke’s office, where my friend got to try on Col. Luke’s helmet and field equipment. Col. Luke presented us each with a 1-16 ‘Iron Rangers’ coin.

With Col Luke’s permission, we visited the Company areas and met with several of the line companies. CPT Cheney and 1SG Carter of Bandido Charlie were our first stop. They had just gotten in a bunch of fresh Pvt’s to the Company. I was able to meet with them, tell them what a great unit they were now part of, and presented each of them with a Bandido Charlie pin. We also visited briefly with Alpha and Bravo Companies, but they didn’t have anyone around. Delta Company was locked up.

We then went up to visit Division HQ. A young SGT from Iowa took us on a tour of the lobby, and showed us around. Upon leaving, we were privileged to watch the retiring of the colors at Division HQ.

That evening, I talked with CSM Hutchison from 2-16. He invited us over to the Dragon Week picnic and ceremony for the awards presentation at 1130 hrs on Thursday. We arrived at 2-16 HQ and were greeted by LTC Kreis and CSM Hutchison, just coming back from the events. We visited briefly with them, picked up our tickets for the Ball, and were presented with the unique diamond shaped ‘Ranger’ 2-16 coins.

Upon leaving the HQ, we headed over to the assembly area where the picnic and events were going to take place. We had the opportunity to visit with a quite a few soldiers, many of whom were wearing the medals that they had won for individual events during the course of the week. As we were talking with a couple of Officers, LTC Kreis and his wife came over and asked us to join them for lunch. Of course we graciously accepted. Little did we know that Mrs. Kreis was going to insist on buying lunch. After a very breezy lunch (one of the tents blew over with about thirty soldiers under it). We proceeded over to where the Battalions from the 4th Brigade were assembling for the awards ceremony. The overwhelming number of individual and team medals went to soldiers from the 2-16. The Brigade trophy presented by Col. Harry A. Arnold was proudly accepted by LTC Paul Kreis.

Once the ceremony was over, the soldiers were released for a three block leave.

On Friday, I started out by having breakfast with CSM (ret) Bill Ryan at the Marriott. Later, we just made a few stops around the post, visiting the PX, the Aviation wing and a couple of other points of interest. By 1400hrs it was time to start preparing for the 1st Infantry Divisions’ Infantry Ball.

While at the Ball, I was introduced to CSM Champagne and our new 1st Division Commander, MG Vincent Brooks, as well as the guest speaker for the night, LTG Stanley McChrystal. He is currently the Director of the Joint Staff in Washington DC. I had the honor of talking with each of the fine gentlemen at length, and was proud to meet them.

Bill Ryan presented flowers to the lovely wives of MG Brooks, Col. Gibbs and CSM Champagne on behalf of the 16th Infantry Regiment.

The presence of Bill and myself was duly noted by all involved, and I dare to say, we did the Regimental Association  proud.