USMRA Annual Ranger
Planning Bay Naming Honors 2009

Pursuant to the constitution of the USMRA, especially that part which states: "…to honor and support those who are in keeping with the highest RANGER TRADITIONS," once again this year, we establish this day to honor those veteran instructors who have served with distinction here at Camp Frank D. Merrill (CFM) and are still serving as members of USMRA.

Each of these men has served as an instructor here at CFM or other historic locations of mountain Ranger training. Each honoree has devoted himself to service of our country in peace and in war. Each has trained those Ranger students under their charge and instilled in those students the highest traditions of the Ranger legacy, selfless leadership and the desire to serve our country.

Every student who attends Ranger training here at CFM participates in a planning phase before each training operation. Within the confines of CFM, the planning is conducted at one of six structures located throughout the camp that are known as "planning bays."

To honor these men and mark this occasion, today we are placing a sign on each of the six Ranger planning bays to honor this year’s veteran Ranger instructors who are still serving, each in his own way. These signs will be displayed at the planning bays for a period of one year, when a new group of six veteran CFM Ranger instructors will be likewise honored.

The signs were designed by Ranger Brian Cunningham. The honoree's name is placed in a replica of the traditional Ranger battalion scroll patch including the year each honoree became a Ranger. The scroll patch is laid on an olive green field in which the text of the Ranger Creed has been embossed.

The 2009 honorees are:

Ranger Kenneth Davenport 1959
Ranger Robert Wages 1969
Ranger Thompson Terrell 1969
Ranger Robert K. Suchke 1969
Ranger Douglas McCabe 1970
Ranger Emmett Hiltibrand 1970

The members of USMRA would like to extend their thanks to the Commander, 5th Ranger Training Battalion and CFM, for his support of this project. We look forward to working with him and those under his command in this and other cooperative endeavors honoring and supporting those who are in keeping with the highest RANGER TRADITIONS.

Rangers Lead the Way!

Respectfully submitted:
Ranger Brian Cunningham