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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER
2021
Everyone,
Thank you for taking the time to look at this UPDATE providing the latest Merrill’s Marauder and related news, including final approval of the Congressional Gold Medal design.
It tells about the new GoFundMe account set up for the WW II Foundation to receive donations to complete its PBS documentary on Merrill’s Marauders. Other stories range from a wrap-up of 2021 Ranger Rendezvous to the new Ranger Outreach Center in Columbus, GA, a new U.S. Army Ranger Association base (local unit) being named after 100-year-old Marauder “Gabe” Kinney, Marauder birthdays, how volunteers have “gotten down and dirty” to get the National Ranger Monument “looking sharp” for Ranger Rendezvous plus honors for some of the remaining Merrill’s Marauders.
Sadly, it includes three obituaries on Marauder James Collins from Florida, Betty Nayes, wife of Marauder Raleigh Nayes in Wisconsin, and Vietnam War correspondent Joe Galloway, long-time friend and supporter of Merrill’s Marauders.
I very much appreciate your continued support. Please let me know if you do not want to receive these type Updates in the future. There will be one more in 2021.
Jonnie Melillo Clasen Merrill’s Marauder liaison officer Daughter, Merrill’s Marauder & Korean War veteran Vincent Melillo 706 689-0153 H NO TEXTS
Devoted wife Betty Nayes of Marauder Raleigh Nayes, 98, dies July 29, 2021, in Wisconsin
When the long-term-care facility in Chippewa Falls, WI where Marauder Raleigh Nayes, 98, has lived for five years closed to visitors due to Covid restrictions, his wife, Betty, adapted and continued her daily visits from outside the large window of his room. Every day around mealtime, Betty would appear at Raleigh’s window holding up hand-written notes encouraging him to eat. Raleigh would wave at his wife and beckon her to come in – and could not understand why she didn’t walk into his room. She continued those daily visits through severe weather and a broken arm, only stopping after suffering a fall shortly before her July 29, 2021, death at age 93. The top-right photo above was taken when she and their son, James, were able to visit Raleigh at the facility for 2021 Fathers’ Day. James said his father was able to attend Betty’s “funeral and did well greeting guests. I'm sure this will all take time to sink in for our whole family.”
PLEASE CLICK the small rectangular image to read the eloquent obituary provided by Betty’s family.
Death of Vietnam War United Press International correspondent Joe Galloway is huge loss for Merrill’s Marauders
When Joe Galloway, Vietnam War UPI correspondent, author and veterans’ champion, died from a heart attack Aug. 18, 2021, in North Carolina, Merrill’s Marauders lost a long-time friend and supporter. Galloway’s friendship with Merrill’s Marauder and retired LTG Sam Wilson prompted him to be one of the first supporters of the 10-year Congressional Gold Medal campaign. He is best known for the book he co-wrote with the late Army LTG Hal Moore, “We Were Soldiers Once and Young,” made into a movie starring actor Mel Gibson. Galloway’s status as a young, 24-year-old non-combatant covering 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry in late 1965 changed quickly when they were dropped into Vietnam’s Ia Drang Valley and surrounded by enemy gunfire. In 1998, Galloway was awarded the Bronze Star with a "V" for valor for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang. He accepted it in memory of the more than 70 reporters and photographers killed covering the Vietnam War.
PLEASE CLICK this small rectangle for more information on Galloway and Merrill’s Marauders.
Secretary of U.S. Treasury gives final approval to Marauder Congressional Gold Medal design
Secretary Janet Yellin of the U.S. Treasury approved on Aug. 6, 2021, the final version of the Marauder Congressional Gold Medal design submitted by the U.S. Mint. Multiple versions submitted by the Mint’s artists were reviewed, revised and again reviewed and revised multiple times before a final design was agreed upon by the Mint’s design committee. Members of the design committee, chaired by “Russ” Evans at the Mint, are Marauder Gilbert Howland, and his son, Bob; Marauder Bob Passanisi and his son, John, and Travis West, U.S. Army Ranger Association president. They spent months reviewing the designs. The approved design has now been sent to U.S. Mint engravers for completion. Speaker Nancy Pelosi choosing a date for the official CGM ceremony, which is invitation only, will hinge on when the engraved design is completed -- probably in late 2021 or early 2022. A private ceremony, which will be open to everyone, also cannot be planned until the medal is completed. An indoor mask requirement is currently in effect in Washington, DC.
GoFundMe account set up to raise $55,000 for WW II Foundation to complete its PBS Merrill’s Marauder documentary
Donations to the WW II Foundation for producing its PBS documentary on Merrill’s Marauders have been so slow that a GoFundMe account has been set up, marking the first time the foundation has ever used that source for its award-winning documentaries. Producer Tim Gray has even dipped into foundation operating funds for additional money to tell the important story of the 5307th Composite Unit Provisional -- and it still hasn’t been enough. Each documentary costs around $200,000 to produce. The Marauder documentary will be the 3rd about Army Rangers out of 29 produced by the WW II Foundation. Gray said the WW II Foundation’s goal is to preserve the amazing stories of the “Greatest Generation” so they are not forgotten. He is eager to finish the documentary and grateful that Kenton Gray has set up this account. However, he is saddened that the Marauders’ unique history has not received better support.
PLEASE HELP – Click on the GoFundMe link below to make a tax-deductible contribution!!
Two Merrill’s Marauder representatives inducted during July 2020 and 2021 Ranger Hall of Fame ceremonies at Ft. Benning
There was a large Merrill’s Marauder presence at the July 19 to 23 Ranger Rendezvous at Ft. Benning, GA. Francesca Richardson (Left) is seen holding her father, Dave Richardson’s, 2020 Ranger Hall of Fame medallion after it was presented to her by COL Antwan Dunmyer (Left) and CSM Eric J. Buonopane, Ft. Benning Airborne Ranger Training Brigade. Richardson used both his camera and weapon when documenting the 1944 Merrill’s Marauder mission in Burma. Richardson’s widow, Anne, (Top-Right) attended from Washington, DC. Richardson’s stepdaughter, Elizabeth Werner, and companion, Joe Keenan, also attended. Jonnie Melillo Clasen (Center) was inducted as an honorary 2021 RHOF member. Wearing her medallion, she and Marauder Gilbert Howland hold the framed citation featuring a photo with her Merrill’s Marauder Dad, Vincent Melillo. Clasen is the second honorary RHOF female inductee, and the first father-daughter pair. Marauder Bob Passanisi, attended with his son, John, and Marauder Gilbert Howland was there with his son, Bob. WW II Rosie the Riveter and Gold Star widow, Eleanor Stark, represented her 5307th CUP husband, Luther “Buck” Bagley, KIA July 25, 1944, at Myitkyina. He is still MIA. Their son, “Woody” Bagley, escorted his mother. Marauder friend Tom Walker’s “Faith and Courage” military chaplains’ display featured large plaques honoring five 5307th CUP Infantrymen. Thanks to consent from Travis West, U.S. Army Ranger Association president; Steve Johnson, outgoing 75th Ranger Regiment Association president; and Art Attaway, new 75th RRA president and OnPoint 1-1; Marauder challenge coin sales and a Gurkha knife raffle contributed $2,045 to help fund Tim Gray’s PBS documentary on Merrill’s Marauders. (See related story.)
PLEASE CLICK the links below for Francesca and Jonnie’s brief RHOF acceptance remarks videoed by Dave Regenthal, former “Patrolling” editor in New Jersey.
Ranger Hall of Fame - Richardson
PLEASE CLICK this small rectangle to see Marauders and family members at 2021 Ranger Rendezvous.
Marauders attend July 19, 2021, ribbon-cutting ceremony at new Ranger Outreach Center in Columbus, GA
Marauders Bob
Passanisi and Gilbert Howland and their sons were honored guests at
the July 19, 2021, ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new
“one-of-a-kind” Ranger Outreach Center next to Saint Luke United
Methodist Church on 2nd Avenue in downtown Columbus, GA.
ROC director Tony Mayne with the non-profit Gallant Few has been
working with transitioning Rangers from his home office. The new
Ranger Outreach Center provides an important physical location for
transitioning Rangers to learn about the multiple resources
available to them as they leave the military and enter the new world
of civilian life. Mayne
said the objective of the ROC is an all-encompassing endeavor that
helps Rangers with their faith, finances and finding a job. “We
care about their health, we care about their faith,” said Mayne.
“It’s so much more than just finding a veteran a job. This is
Columbus, Georgia taking care of the Rangers.” The ROC is like a
pathway for Rangers to live a civilian life of hope and purpose that
will make them an asset to their communities. Following the official
ceremony, the large crowd of Rangers, their families, local
officials and members of Saint Luke congregation were given tours of
the new ROC by Mayne and his wife, Nicole.
Marauder Bob Passanisi surprised with 97th Birthday Cake during Ranger Rendezvous
During the Ranger Rendezvous Presidents’ Banquet, Marauder Bob Passanisi was presented with a cake full of candles in honor of his 97th birthday by his son John. Passanisi’s birthday was July 24th. July is a popular month for Marauder RHOF inductees. When Francesca Richardson accepted the 2020 Ranger Hall of Fame medallion for her Dad, Dave Richardson, on July 21, she said the day would have been her Dad’s 105th birthday. Jonnie Melillo Clasen, inducted as an honorary member into 2021 RHOF, said her Marauder Dad, Vincent Melillo, would have been 103 on July 23rd, when the Presidents’ Banquet was held. Melillo was inducted into Ranger Hall of Fame in 2013 the day after his 95th birthday. Marauder James Richardson who died in December 2020, was a long-time, familiar presence during Ranger Rendezvous week and would have turned 100 in July. Outgoing 75th Ranger Regiment Association president Steve Johnson’s birthday was July 25.
Merrill’s Marauders Rocco DeLuca and Raleigh Nayes turn 99 years old in September
Two of the six remaining Merrill’s Marauders celebrate their birthdays in September. If you would like to send them birthday greetings, please send your cards to the following addresses:
Raleigh Nayes % Jim Nayes 10435 Olson Dr. Eau Claire, WI 54701
Rocco DeLuca % Joyce Horey 87 Briar Lane Norwich, CT 06360
Volunteers down “on hands and knees: to refurbish National Ranger Monument stones before 2021 Ranger Rendezvous
If you see fresh, new lettering on some of the stones at Ft. Benning’s National Ranger Monument, it’s thanks to a small group of Ranger and family volunteers. Prior to 2021 Ranger Rendezvous, a call went out from Art Attaway, new 75th Ranger Regiment Association president, and Tony Mayne, director of the new Ranger Outreach Center in Columbus, GA, for volunteers to finish refurbishing some of the stones with faded Ranger names and replace broken ones. The monument is maintained by a non-profit foundation since the Army is not involved in upkeep of monuments on military installations. The refurbishing goal was to have everything completed before Ranger Rendezvous. Despite the weather being hot and muggy and raining part of almost every day, a small but passionate group of adults and children volunteers showed up. Each person had to get down “on their hands and knees” for the tedious work to give the stones a new look. Their efforts complimented a professional overhaul earlier this year of the entire Ranger Monument which included leveling the walkway where the more than 7,000 stones are located. Among the volunteers were MAJ Adam Rupert, Steve Caldwell, Rick Harris, a young, unnamed active-duty Ranger, Tony Mayne and his small daughter, Caroline; Israel Christian, son of Marc Michelic, 75th Regimental Special Troops Battalion; and Mary Kubik, a Gold Star sister of SGT Ronald Alan Kubik. Her brother was KIA on April 23, 2010, at age 21 in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. It was his third deployment following a previous one in Afghanistan and another in Iraq. Mary volunteers to honor her brother. During Ranger Rendezvous she fulfilled a request by Mike Hall, president of the Three Rangers Association, and sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at a joint breakfast hosted by 75th Ranger Regiment Association and U.S. Army Ranger Association.
PLEASE CLICK the small rectangle to see the volunteers “at work.”
Marauder “Gabe” Kinney honored by USARA base (local unit) named after him
98-year-old Marauder “Gil”
Howland is honored guest in Pennsylvania’s “longest-running”
July 4th parade
Marauder Bob Passanisi slated to attend November American Veterans Center’s 24th Annual Conference in Washington, DC
Merrill’s Marauder Bob Passanisi, 97, from Lindenhurst, NY has accepted a special Veterans Day invitation from the American Veterans Center (AVC) in Washington, DC to be part of its 24th Annual Conference Nov. 5 and 6. It will feature the first “American Valor: A Salute to our Veterans” show. C-Span regularly televises the conference. Passanisi will be sharing his military history with young, future service members as well as fellow veterans. Hundreds of students from West Point, the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy and more than two dozen ROTC and JROTC programs have attended previous AVC conferences where they’ve had the opportunity to listen to some of America’s most distinguished and decorated veterans and active-duty service members. Passanisi will take part in the AVC’s “American Valor: A Salute to our Veterans,” show honoring military heroes. American Valor will be the Nov. 6 closing event of AVC’s 24th Annual Conference at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC. Alongwith C-Span, the show will be televised the weekend of Veterans Day, 2021, on ABC and local stations nationwide, as well as worldwide on American Forces Network.
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| March - April, 2021 | May - June, 2021 |
