This is what Rangers are.

[Bell]

I get these emails all the time. Some I post, some I don't. I got this one late so I didn't post it. However, reading through it, I realized that there's some statements in there that the wannabe clan should know. It's inspiring, to say the least. I want to draw your attention to the paragraph that starts, "I called his Mom.....".

This is what Rangers do. This is what Rangers are all about. If any of you little turds make it you'll understand. It's a close community. If you noticed, on Ranger Alan Campbells thread, several Rangers attended the services.

Personally, it still amazes me. A Ranger dies and Rangers from all over the country attend his funeral. That kind of respect is truly amazing. But it's what we all do when we can.

RIP Ranger Kilpatrick.

RLTW
Bell




Christians step dad called me this afternoon and advised me of the following

Ranger Christian Kilpatricks funeral will be at 11 AM Thursday May 20, 2004.

It will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetary, Sabastopol Calif. 1 hr north of San Fransico.

As alway RLTW

Sandee
Ranger Christian Kilpatrick was a 3d Batt Ranger who served in Afghanistan and in Iraq. He separated from service after his Iraq tour in December of 2003 and returned as a contractor with DYNCorp. He was killed recently in an ambush on a road in Iraq, and some of you attended his Memorial service last week.

His remains have arrived home and the Funeral will be as above. If you are in the AO and can attend, please let me know and I will inform the Family. His Mom was awed by the response, as Rangers traveled many miles to see what they could do to help them in this horrid time in their world.

My THANKS go to each who carry this ruck each time the mission is called. I've lifted it a time or two and know the drill, its Honor and its sorrow. You'd just have to speak to a Family to know how much they appreciate the thought behind the deed. They all think their Ranger was alone when he died, and traveled alone to their home. When they learn the respect and dignity invested by every person involved, there is relief. When they realize just how much we miss our Brother whether we "knew" him or not, they are awed, and they stay that way for a long, long time.

I called his Mom before and after the Memorial, and she said this after the Memorial Service (with several Rangers from all over the place just showing up):
"When Christian would come home, he'd spend a little time with the Family, a little with his friends here, then ALWAYS sought the company of his Ranger buddies. I would ask him "don't you get tired of those guys?", and he said I wouldn't understand. Now I understand why he felt that way about Rangers".

Many of you have heard similar words, but they're fresh each time I hear them. Makes me sad, makes me proud to know each of you would do it, and drives me to be SURE it's done as long as we draw air and can get there. It may one day get easier, but each is as tough as the first one so far, but *I* know I'm going home to the same Family I left - BIG difference.

The Moms and Wives just kill me every time - there just aren't words, but I say 'em anyway. It'll make a grown Man get all blustery and dumb sometimes. Luckily, I'm used to dumb.

GodSpeed, Ranger Christian - you're already wherever good Rangers go when they leave. Some will call you stupid for your acts in life - I'll just call you Brother, since I've been dumb for quite a while now.

K/75th
There's a DIFFERENCE, but so many learn it so late. Some never do.

[Rock Island Ranger]

Good post, Ron....it's things like this that give me a glimmer of hope. As for the fat fucking civilians I see everyday....makes me want to puke.

[Earthpig]

Thanks, Ron.
RLTW
EP

[Steadfast]

Thanks Ranger Bell. Ya see that little detail on the bottom of the page just above your signature, K/75 tells me that Bob Smyers was in this email. I am almost 99% sure it is him. He is the current 75th RRA Chaplin.

Still not to change the original subject, thanks again.

[Spartan]

Ya see that little detail on the bottom of the page just above your signature, K/75 tells me that Bob Smyers was in this email.

I think it was Dana.

[Steadfast]

You can hear the thud as Ranger Steadfast falls to ground and the odds have gone asunder. 1% wins out!

[Parabellum]

Good one Bell. Too bad only a few of us get it.

[CCT]

I just learned of Christian’s death. I have a hard time keeping in touch with my Ranger buddies but I truly appreciated Christians strong efforts and work ethics and of course his raspy, Clint Eastwood, like voice. I'll admit it; I tried like hell to get him to cross train into CCT. I do that with most Rangers that I meet and get to know. Word was given to me from one of my teammates (PJ) and neither one of us could believe it. Rest in Peace brother...

[Bell]

I just learned of Christian’s death. I have a hard time keeping in touch with my Ranger buddies but I truly appreciated Christians strong efforts and work ethics and of course his raspy, Clint Eastwood, like voice. I'll admit it; I tried like hell to get him to cross train into CCT. I do that with most Rangers that I meet and get to know. Word was given to me from one of my teammates (PJ) and neither one of us could believe it. Rest in Peace brother...

Thanks for the post.

Please go to introductions and do so. We like to know who we're talking to.

RLTW
Bell

[BadMuther]

Good post Ranger Bell.

[Slowpoke]

I don't know how I missed this earlier, great post Ranger Bell. Maybe some of the DEPs will get a glimmer of what being a Ranger is all about.

[proud dad]

Thanks for sharing that with us Ranger Bell. I have witnessed how the Rangers take care of their fallen and I can not describe the emotions that I feel when I see how truely close these men are even though they might not have ever met. The same thing is shown on this site as I have been treated with respect and honor here even though it is my son who is the Ranger.

I would also like to explain how it feels for me to be a part of this site. When my son has been deployed it has been easy to follow OPEC as when I visit I do not feel the need to say he is here or there, all I have to say he is a Ranger and ya'll know what he's about. It has been very much an honor for me to be here.

I would like to list the fallen brothers and sons from the 3rd Batt. in the GWOT.

Ranger Christian Kilpatrick
Ranger John Edmunds
Ranger Kristophor Stonesifer
Ranger Russell Rippetoe
Ranger Nino Livaudale
Ranger Ryan Long
Ranger Andrew Chris
Ranger Timothy Conneway.

RIP Rangers

[Slowpoke]

Thanks for sharing that with us Ranger Bell. I have witnessed how the Rangers take care of their fallen and I can not describe the emotions that I feel when I see how truely close these men are even though they might not have ever met. The same thing is shown on this site as I have been treated with respect and honor here even though it is my son who is the Ranger.

I would also like to explain how it feels for me to be a part of this site. When my son has been deployed it has been easy to follow OPEC as when I visit I do not feel the need to say he is here or there, all I have to say he is a Ranger and ya'll know what he's about. It has been very much an honor for me to be here.

I would like to list the fallen brothers and sons from the 3rd Batt. in the GWOT.

Ranger Christian Kilpatrick
Ranger John Edmunds
Ranger Kristophor Stonesifer
Ranger Russell Rippetoe
Ranger Nino Livaudale
Ranger Ryan Long
Ranger Andrew Chris
Ranger Timothy Conneway.

RIP Rangers

Thanks Proud Dad, may these brave Rangers rest in peace. ~S~