A small congregation of 220 people who made special contributions to the nation’s premier raid force grew when 13 Ranger veterans and other supporters were inducted as distinguished and honorary members of the 75th Ranger Regiment here, Sept. 12.
“Since 1989, 30,000 Rangers have come through our ranks,” said Col. Richard D. Clarke, 15th commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment as he addressed a room filled with Rangers, veterans, friends and families. “There are only 220 fellow Rangers and supporters who are distinguished or honorary members of the Regiment.”
There are three types of people who are inducted into D/HMOR, Clarke said.
“There are those who have served in the Regiment with scrolls on the left or right side who did incredible things while they were here.”
There are also civilians who are assigned to the Regiment, wearing civilian clothes instead of a uniform, he said.
“And then there are those people who have never been in the Regiment but their actions directly contributed to success of the Regiment,” he said.
In 1989, the Regiment started a tradition to recognize individuals who have served the Ranger Regiment with excellence and distinction. Distinguished and honorary members of the 75th Ranger Regiment are individuals who play a key role in perpetuating the history and traditions of the unit enhancing unit morale and esprit de corps, according to Army Regulation 600-82.
This year’s distinguished members are:
Command Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Bielich served for 20 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment. He served in every capacity from an infantryman to 3rd Battalion’s operations sergeant major. He conducted 11 different combat deployments to include Operation Just Cause, Operation Restore Democracy and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey T. Clifton served as the Regimental fire support officer for several years and continues to make a direct and lasting impact on the Ranger Regiment and the Ranger fire support community through his tireless dedication and leadership.
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy S. Dotson has spent more than 14 years as a Soldier with the 75th Ranger Regiment holding positions including rifle team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, assistant operations NCO and battalion operations sergeant major.
Col. Sean Jenkins was the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment battalion commander from July 2006-May 2008. He also served at the Regimental headquarters from July 2001 to February 2004 as the senior liaison officer and the regimental operations officer.
Col. Michael Kurilla served as the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment battalion commander from July 2006-July 2008 and spent over six years of his career serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Col. Bryan L. Rudacille served as the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment battalion commander from June 2006 to July 2008; he also served multiple tours with in the 75th Ranger Regiment during his career.
Chap. (Lt. Col.) Thomas L. Solhjem provided spiritual leadership to the men of the 75th Ranger Regiment during his time as the Regimental chaplain. He provided pastoral care to Rangers prior to the execution of countless combat missions. He is genuinely a “pastoral legend” within the Ranger community.
Lt. Col. Peter J. Tragakis is a six-year veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment and was the Regimental signal officer. During his tenure as the Regimental signal officer, he led the Regiment to the cutting edge of tactical communications, automation, and technology and information assurance.
Dotson expressed his love and compassion for the men he considers Family.
As Dotson spoke from the heart and addressing the Rangers in the audience, he said, “You are my Ranger Family. You were there for me when my brother and mother died from cancer within two months of each other. You helped me financially to get back home and emotionally by just letting me know that I was never alone.”
“I love being a Ranger. All that I am is because of my time with the outstanding men of the 75th Ranger Regiment,” said Dotson. “It is more than just a scroll and a tab; it is a way of life.”
Five new honorary members of the Regiment were announced as well. Honorary members of the Regiment are individuals who have not been assigned to the unit but were nominated and approved for their significant contributions to the organization and its mission. The 2008 inductees are:
Col. Andrew Miliani, chief of staff, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C., provided experienced-based decision making and critical oversight of a period of unprecedented growth for the Regiment.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jody Nacy has continues to make a direct and lasting impact on the Ranger Regiment with his tireless dedication and leadership. He is a great advocate of for the Ranger Regiment by personally getting involved and ensuring programs that benefit Rangers everyday on the battlefield.
Chris Cannon has served with 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment for 22 years as a communications specialist and is currently the special operations facility manager. His institutional knowledge in the critical arean of communications has been invaluable to 1st Battalion.
Gerald E. McGrath has been supporting Ranger operations for many years. During the last two years, he personally helped the Regiment stand up its Force Design Update; assisting the Regiment with its transformation to meet the needs of today’s battlefield.
James A. Sam Jr., has been a civilian member of 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment for over 24 years. He provided immeasurable stability and focus in the battalion’s communications center during 24 years of selfless service and personal sacrifice with the unit.
“I want to personally thank each and every one of these men to for their service to the Rangers of the 75th Ranger Regiment,” said Clarke.
Supporting Army Rangers by those who no longer wear the uniform and by those who never did seems to be a task of love and considerable pride. This was the common thread linking the newest distinguished and honorary members of the 75th Ranger Regiment to the Army’s premier raid force
