June 2026 News!
- 7 hours ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
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President's Note |
My fellow Rakkasans,
Another successful reunion is in the books, and it was truly remarkable! I sincerely thank everyone who invested their time and energy to make it happen. Numerous dedicated individuals and organizations played a role in the success of this 2026 Reunion, making it challenging to acknowledge them all. However, I would like to personally thank COL Bell and his team, Mike Smith, Rick Perry, Charlie Ricord, and the always-reliable Cindy Boyd.
Thank you to everyone who attended; your presence made this reunion unforgettable. It was wonderful to have LTG (Ret) Bob Clark and many members of his Desert Storm Leadership team in attendance. Also present were LTG (Ret) Frank Wiercinski, the Association's Honorary COL of the Regiment, along with numerous former 3rd Brigade, Battalion and Company Commanders as well as Command Sergeant Majors. While many of our Rakkasan legends have passed on, many still walk among us. Many were in our midst at this reunion.
Let’s work to carry this spirit of legacy, connection and camaraderie forward.
I would also like to recognize Col (Ret) Rick Carlson for pulling together a leadership team that conducted a professional development session for the active duty Rakkasans. This was the first time we have done something like this. Thank you to all who participated.
Planning for the 2027 Reunion has already begun and details will be posted in the Fall. We will be holding the 2027 Reunion in May of that year in Clarksville, TN and FT Campbell, KY. In the meantime, I hope that you will reach out to your Rakkasan brothers and sisters to connect, reconnect and keep the Rakkasan bonds strong.
LVNF
Rakkasan
Bob Harkins
3rd Brigade News |
A MESSAGE FROM RAK 6
The June message from COL Bell will be made available in the near future. COL Bell and other members of the 3rd MBCT are returning from Europe, after participating in ceremonies honoring D-Day.
2026 Reunion Recap |
The 2026 National Rakkasan Association/Hamburger Hill Chapter Reunion was a great success! We thank COL Bell and the 3rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, all our sponsors, generous donors, vendors and those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months to make things happen. Plans are already in the works for the 2027 Reunion which will be held in May of 2027.
A Few Worthy Mentions
2026 Rakkasan of the Year - Hunter Everett
2026 Rakkasan Reserve of the Year - Tracy Smith
Distinguished Members of the Regiment
LTG (Ret) Bob Caslen
LTC (Ret) Pete Kinney
Steven Wade
Bill Eckstein
Memorial Dinner Guest Speaker - LTG (Ret) Robert Clark
Memorial Dinner MC - COL (Ret) Martin J Bowling
For more details and plenty of photos, please check out the Events Page on our website:
2026 Reunion Reflections |
Reunion Reflections from LTG Robert Clark
After the reunion, I drove home to San Antonio. It was a 15.5 hour drive, so it gave me plenty of time to reflect on the experience, and what a great one it was!
It was so good to see so many Rakkasan veterans reuniting and reminiscing about their service together, and to witness the emotions they expressed as they recalled their time together in combat. Particularly poignant were their memories of their buddies who did not make it home.
The impressive attendance by so many was a huge reflection of the intense pride in the Rakkasan Regiment. It is a regimental spirit that is peerless, in my opinion. That spirit is being absorbed by the active duty Rakkasans, and I was glad to see so many events that included them, particularly the professional development events that taught them important Rakkasan history, values and standards when in combat.
Lastly, the memorial dinner was just fantastic. I was so glad to see our young Soldiers and their ladies have so much fun. Col Bell is doing a good job of promoting events that help our young Soldiers and leaders understand how much fun you can have in service to the nation while you endure the many challenges of Army/Rakkasan life. These kinds of events promote the bonding we all experience in the Brotherhood!
Thanks to all for a great reunion!
I'm proud to be a Rakkasan!
Bob Clark
Rak 6 in Desert Storm
Eagle 6 1998-2000
GEN Peay (then MG and 101st Airborne Division CG), LTG Robert Clark (then COL and 3rd Brigade CO) and GEN Colin Powell, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman during Desert Storm.
Reunion Refelections from LTC (Ret) Dave Priatko
LTC (Ret) Dave Priatko and his 12 men from 1st Plt, C Co, 1-187 INF enjoyed gathering for the first time in 35 years. Their platoon was Charlie Company’s main effort during the company’s mission to seize Daraji Pumping Station in Iraq. The reunion provided these men the opportunity to meet active duty Rakkasans who thoroughly impressed them by their professionalism, respect, and high esprit de corps maintaining the high Rakkasans standard. As a result of a positive reunion experience, members of the platoon committed to making reunion attendance an annual occurrence.
Reunion Refelections - CSM Don Purdy in our Midst
The legendary CSM Don Purdy, Ranger Hall of Fame member and former 3/187th CSM, was in attendance this year. The CSM is an absolute legend in Army infantry lore, and it was awesome to reunite with him. He spent lots of time with the active CSMs and has agreed to continue to mentor our Rakkasans.
Reunion Reflections - Picture from Charlie Company, 2/187th
Sean Sparks (HHC 2/187), Jim Homewood and Bo Wilder (C Co 2/187) 1990 - 1991 - Desert Storm Veterans.
Reunion Refelections - A Note from the VP of the Hamburger Hill Chapter
Dear Rakkasans,
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I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every single Rakkasan who took part in the 2026 Rakkasan Reunion! Your enthusiasm and dedication truly made this event unforgettable. As we reflect on our shared history—from our proud beginnings in WWII all the way to the present day—let’s continue to honor and preserve the Rakkasan legacy.
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Every Rakkasan, past and present, is not only welcome but encouraged to lift one another up and help keep us the greatest Regiment in history. It’s through our unity, support, and pride that we will continue to set the highest standards for ourselves and those who will follow in our footsteps.
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It remains an honor to serve alongside you all. Let’s keep the Rakkasan spirit alive and strong! Â
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Warm regards,
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Charles Ricord
LVNF
Hamburger Hill Chapter VP
2026 Reserve - Ladies lunch |
A Message from Ladies Reserve - Kelley Peterson
Ladies Reserve
The ladies luncheon was a huge success this year! There were 25 ladies in attendance - the largest group we have had in years. So excited to be growing in membership & attendance.
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Thank you to Sue Harkins for keeping our current ladies on the roster informed & involved. Very appreciative that the active duty FRG wanted to be involved during the planning process of the reunion. Ashley Ling created a beautiful invitation for the Ladies Luncheon and ensured the active duty ladies received it; It was wonderful to meet new friends.Â
Tracy Smith was honored as our 2026 Lady Reserve Rakkasan - thank you Tracy for all you continue to do for our Rakkasans.Â
We really enjoyed the time we spent together and look forward to having even more participation at our next gathering. If there are any ladies that want to be included, please send me your contact information and we will add to our roster.Â
Kelley PetersonÂ
More pictures of the Rakkasan Reserve Ladies Lunch can be viewed on the Events Page of our website.
2026 Ladies Rakkasan Reserve - Tracy Smith
Tracy Smith is the spouse of Mike Smith, a member of Delta Company 3rd Bn 187th Infantry Regiment from 1969 to 1970. He is the Treasurer of the Hamburger Hill Chapter, and a member of the Rakkasan Association Board of Directors. Tracy supports the Rakkasan Association and all its activities. She has directly supported the Hamburger Hill Chapter’s annual reunions held in Clarksville, TN each year in May, since 2003. She volunteers to work any, and all issues, with a smile and a positive approach. Tracy is a caring and supportive listener and care giver for the wives and soldiers of the Rakkasan Association. She is always willing to help solve problems, that any member may have. Mrs. Smith has been instrumental in supporting all Rakkasan activities.
She is a true Honorary Member of the Regiment, receiving that honor in 2025.
Tracy was in public service for 33 years, working for the Fayette County Engineers Office, supervising the Tax Map office, approving deeds and transferring all real Property in Fayette County Ohio,
Retiring in 2022 after 33 years of public service.
She is the proud mom of her son Nathan, who relocated to Florida, which means as many trips to Florida as possible!
2026 Hamburger Hill Scholarships |
The 2026 Hamburger Hill Chapter Scholarship awardees were announced during the Memorial Dinner at the 2026 National Rakkasan Association Reunion. A total of fourteen (14) applications were received and five (5) scholarships were awarded. The awardees are as follows:
Sammy Hoskins Memorial Scholarship - Cora Franczyki
Marguerite Honeycutt Memorial Scholarship - Emma Cogbill
Sean Creed
Clare Creed
Kate Federovich
For additional information on the Hamburger Chapter Hill Scholarships to include previous awardees and ways to support the scholarship fund, please go to the Scholarship Page on our website.
In Memory |
William A Macaullay Jr
1928 - 2026
"Bill graduated from Erskine College in 1950 with a degree in Chemistry and was soon drafted into the U.S. Army. He served with the 187th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War. During that time, a chaplain's words—"to be in the world without being of the world"—stayed with him for the rest of his life. Bill remained proud of his military service and deeply connected to his fellow Rakkasans, attending reunions for many years and cherishing those lifelong bonds."
Rolando C. Rodriguez
1931 - 2025
"Rolando enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 16 and proudly served his country as a paratrooper in the Korean War. Following his military service, he brought his leadership skills to U.S. Steel, where he worked his way into a managerial role. In 1980, he was transferred to Baytown, Texas, and soon after made La Porte his home.
Over the years, Rolando built lasting friendships through his involvement with the California Chapter #1 Rakkasans, where he served as President. He was honored annually by the Korean Consulate in California for his military service and remained active in his community through roles on the board of the La Porte HOLA Club and his local homeowners association."
fundraiser |
3/187th Memorial Stone Fundraiser
Vietnam 1968-1971
We are 75% towards the fundraising goal!
Progress: Thanks to everyone's generous support, a preliminary proof of the memorial stone has been approved! The next step is for the vendor to add the names of the KIA's to the proof.
Fundraiser Request: Rakkasan Alumni, the 3-187 Infantry is requesting your support to replace our Vietnam KIA Memorial Stone. The current stone contains the names of all the 1968 KIAs and has broken into several pieces. To honor all the Iron Rakkasan KIA from Vietnam, we are proposing an expanded memorial that includes all 252 KIA from ’68-’71. The stone will be upright and will list the KIA by year. It will sit on a rough-cut piece of quartz. It will be placed behind the Battalion headquarters underneath our Iron Torii. The area is used for Battalion formations, promotions, and award ceremonies. This area is significant as the gathering place for all Soldiers in the Battalion because it contains our parade field, Torii monument, and GWOT KIA memorial. This memorial is part of a broader effort to memorialize the Iron Battalion KIA from all conflicts we have participated in. The estimated cost for this memorial is $14,680. Any amount you are willing to donate will be greatly appreciated by the current and former members of the Iron Rakkasans. Thanks for your support!
chapter news |
Torrii Chapter
Based out of Clarksville, TN but accepts members from other areas.
President: Frank Peterson
Vice President: Louie Lee
Treasurer: CSM (Ret) Chuck Judd
Secretary: Sheila Patton
For information on the Chapter please email toriichapter@outlook.com.
Buckeye Chapter
Based out of Delaware, Ohio
President: Scott Hutmire
Treasurer: Hunter Everett
Meets at the VFW Reed Miller Post #3297 located at 481 S. Sandusky Street.
For additional information on the Chapter please email michael_smith672@yahoo.com.
Hamburger Hill Chapter
President: Bob Harkins
Vice President: Charlie Ricord
Secretary: Greg West
Treasurer: Mike Smith
contact us/contribute |
Monthly E-Newsletters
If you have news or events that you would like to feature in future e-newsletters, please reach out to us. We welcome submissions of short stories about your experiences with the Rakkasans, information on important dates in Rakkasan history, the significance of staying connected, or other topics pertinent to the Rakkasan legacy, both past and present.
Photos & Memorabilia
If you have photos, memorabilia - either your own or a family member (father, grandfather, uncle, etc.) - that you would like to share with the Rakkasan Association, please reach out to us.
until next time - let valor not fail |
