Events
National Rakkasan Association reunion
The 2026 National Rakkasan Association/Hamburger Hill Chapter Reunion
45th Anniversary & Reunion of the Association - 57th Anniversary of Hamburger Hill - 35th Anniversary of Operation Desert Storm.
The 2026 Reunion was held May 13 to 17, 2026
It was a well attended event and we thank everyone who was there! We look forward to the 2027 reunion!
We welcome your feedback on the 2026 Reunion as well as suggestions for future reunions!
2026 Reunion Photo Galleries
May 14, 2026 - Golf Tournament
Reunion events kicked off with a Four-Man Scramble Golf Tournament hosted by the Torii Chapter.
May 14, 2026 - Regimental Command Briefing
The Regimental Command Briefing was held May 14, 2026 and included a catered lunch, followed by a 3rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team update from COL Bell; a presentation on the Rakkasans in Desert Storm by LTC (Ret) Pete Kinney; and a viewing of the Oliver North's War Stories episode on Hamburger Hill.
May 14, 2026 - 3rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team Open House
COL Bell and his team hosted an Open House which included competitions, BBQ tasting and BBQ sandwiches courtesy of the Torii Chapter of the National Rakkasan Association.
May 15, 2026 - Range Day
Another great event hosted by COL Bell and his team. Reunion attendees were able to view and fire weapons followed by a Brigade Stress Shooting Competition. Additionally, lunch was enjoyed on the range.
May 15, 2026 - Rakkasan Reserve Ladies Lunch
While many were out on the range, Kelley Peterson hosted the Rakkasan Reserve Ladies. The ladies enjoyed a catered lunch as well as a gift exchange. The hard-working Tracy Smith was awarded the 2026 Ladies Rakkasan Reserve of the year.
May 15, 2026 - Pylon Ceremony
The Annual Pylon Memorial Ceremony was held on May 15, 2026, with Erik Lind as the Guest Speaker. LTG (Ret) Bob Caslen and LTC (Ret) Pete Kinney were recognized as Distinguished Members of the Regiment.
May 16, 2026 - Memorial Dinner
The 2026 Memorial Dinner was held at Valor Hall. The Master of Ceremonies was COL (Ret) Martin J. Bowling and the Guest Speaker was LTG (Ret) Robert Clark. LTG Clark took command of 3rd Brigade in November of 1990, during Operation Desert Shield. Hunter Everett was recognized as 2026 Rakkasan of the Year. Steven Wade and Bill Eckstein were recognized as Distinguished Members of the Regiment.
Hospitality Room & Informal Reception
One of the best parts of each reunion is just hanging out.
The companies listed below have invested in assisting us with the active duty soldiers and are working in part to make the reunion this year a success. For their patriotism and kindness, we are very grateful.
2026 Sponsors of the National Rakkasan Association
Catering Team: The Cutting Edge.
Reunion T-shirts: Created by Bullets & Biceps.
(previous) ANNUAL RAKKASAN REUNIONS
1981 FORMATION, ATLANTA GA
1982 REUNIONS STARTED
1ST 1982 NASHVILLE TN
2ND 1983 FAYETTEVILLE NC
3RD 1984 DETROIT MI
4TH 1985 HARTFORD CT
5TH 1986 LAS VEGAS NV
6TH 1987 NASHVILLE TN
7TH 1988 NORFOLK VA
8TH 1989 SCOTTSDALE AZ
9TH 1990 WASHINGTON DC
10TH 1991 ORLANDO FL
11TH 1992 BUFFALO NY
12TH 1993 NASHVILLE TN
13TH 1994 SAN DIEGO CA
14TH 1995 WASHINGTON DC
15TH 1996 PEORIA IL
16TH 1997 COLORADO SPRINGS CO
17TH 1998 FAYETTEVILLE NC
18TH 1999 ORLANDO FL
19TH 2000 EL PASO TX
20TH 2001 FT. MITCHELL KY
21ST 2002 SACRAMENTO CA
22ND 2003 GETTYSBURG PA
23RD 2004 TUCSON AZ
24TH 2005 FT. MITCHELL KY
25TH 2006 RENO NV
26TH 2007 ST. LOUIS MO
27TH 2008 INDIANAPOLIS IN
28TH 2009 COLORADO SPRINGS CO
29TH 2010 MYRTLE BEACH SC
30TH 2011 SAN ANTONIO TX
31ST 2012 ORLANDO FL
32ND 2013 ERLANGER KY
33RD 2014 FORT BENNING GA
34TH 2015 NASHVILLE TN
35TH 2016 KANSAS CITY MO
36TH 2017 COLORADO SPRINGS CO
37TH 2018 LOMBARD IL
38TH 2019 CLARKSVILLE TN
39TH 2020 Cancelled
40TH 2021 CLARKSVILLE TN
41TH 2022 GRAND RAPIDS MI
42ND 2023 CLARKSVILLE TN
43RD 2024 SPRINGFIELD MO
44TH 2025 CLARKSVILLE TN
45TH 2026 CLARKSVILLE TN