Ripcord Association

Archives

2021 DMOR Nomination Information
(Distinguished Member of The Regiment)

 

2021 Week of the Eagles and 506th Association Reunion

to include Currahee DMOR/HMOR Ceremony

On June 23, 2021, during the Week of the Eagles celebration at Fort Campbell, the 506th Infantry Regiment Distinguished Member of the Regiment (DMOR) and Honorary Member of the Regiment (HMOR) ceremony will occur. Lieutenant Colonel Vincent A. Thomas, Commander, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment and Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey R. Farmer, Commander, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment are calling for nominations for consideration in the selection of Distinguished and Honorary Members of the 506th Infantry Regiment.

The induction ceremony is currently planned for 1000 June 23, 2021 at the Currahee Memorial (an alternate indoor location will be available in the event of excessive heat or inclement weather). All previous DMOR/HMOR inductees and veterans are cordially invited to attend this ceremony. For those that cannot attend the ceremony in-person, we will have a video of the event on the 2-506 Infantry – White Curahee Rakkasans Facebook Page.

DMOR/HMOR Awards

The Army established the Distinguished Member of the Regiment to recognize the accomplishments of Soldiers associated with regimental units. Governed by Army Regulation 600-82, the DMOR designation identifies and honors individuals who served in the 506th Infantry Regiment and have demonstrated exemplary military service to the unit, to the Soldiers, and to the Nation, as well as accomplishments after retirement or discharge. It also takes into consideration services performed later in life in support of the 506th Infantry Regiment and our Nation. This distinction can be awarded to both Currahee veterans and active duty Currahee Soldiers. A parallel honor, the Honorary Member of the Regiment, recognizes similar accomplishments or services benefiting the regiment by Soldiers, spouses, and individuals who did not serve in the regiment.

The DMOR/HMOR Selection Process

The DMOR/HMOR selection process is led by a leadership board consisting of the current Battalion Commanders, Command Sergeants Major, and the Honorary Colonel and Sergeant Major of the Regiment. Selections are then reviewed by the Infantry Branch at Fort Benning. It is a demanding process that ensures only the most outstanding candidates are honored as a 506th Infantry Regiment DMOR/HMOR. Announcement of selected DMORs and HMORs will be made late March 2021 to allow maximum planning time for travel to Ft Campbell.

The Nomination Process

Current and former members of all battalions of the Regiment may be nominated to receive DMOR honors. It is requested that all nomination packets be submitted no later than March 15, 2021 to the 2nd BN 506th Infantry Regiment to ensure that the selection board has ample time to make their decisions. This deadline gives those who desire to submit nominations a month to write their narratives and submit their nominations. Please contact any past or present Currahees that you believe may be interested in nominating someone for this high honor.

Nomination requirements

 Any nomination from any source and in any format will go before the 506th Regimental DMOR/HMOR board for consideration. However, it will be more effective to use the following format for recommendations to assist the proper presentation of the candidate in the selection board process. DMOR and HMOR nominations should provide the following information:

  1. Nominee’s name and current contact information (address, email, and phone)
  2. Dates of service and duty assignments with the 506th Infantry Regiment
  3. A detailed narrative describing the exemplary service and contributions of the soldier to their Currahee unit. The narrative should also include the Soldier’s continuing service after discharge or retirement to Currahee units, fellow veterans and veteran organizations, and to our
  4. Supporting letters from other Currahee Soldiers or veterans may be added with the original letter from the recommending Soldier to add to the nomination.

This information will give the 506th DMOR/HMOR Selection Board a full impression of the candidate. All packets, whether submitted on paper via mail or electronically by email, should be sent to the POC for nominations, 1LT Stephen Buckley. While it is encouraged that packets be scanned and submitted via email, paper copy submissions are acceptable. Both hard copy and electronic nomination packets must be sent to arrive at the 2nd battalion headquarters by 15, March 2021.

Address and contact info: Hard copy to: Stephen Buckley, 6845 Air Assault St.,
Fort Campbell, TN, 42223.
Email copy to: Stephen.p.buckley4.mil@mail.mil.
Questions should be addressed to the primary POC: 1LT Buckley: 239-404-8342 or the alternate POC: 1LT Carter: 228-363-9725.

Lee Widjeskog
July 22, 1946 – Jan 10,2022

Lee Elis Widjeskog, 75 years of age of Deerfield Township died unexpectedly on Monday, January 10, 2022 shortly upon arrival at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland.

He was born in Bridgeton on July 22, 1946 and was the son of the late Elis and Hildegard Widjeskog. He was a graduate of Bridgeton High School in the Class of 1964.

In 1968, Lee married Kathryn Haruko Niji while finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology at the Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. He began his military service in May of 1969 and served in the 101st Airborne unit of the US Army as a First Lieutenant and was eventually deployed to Vietnam. Trained in Airborne School and Jungle School, he fought in one of the last major battles of the war from firebase support Ripcord and considered himself lucky to survive. He received the Combat Infantry Badge. He was discharged to the US Army Reserves in March of 1971.

Lee was employed for 40 years by the State of New Jersey, Division of Fish and Wildlife as a Wildlife Biologist. He loved being part of nature and enjoyed every day of his work.

A true sportsman, Lee was an active member of Ducks Unlimited, The National Wild Turkey Federation, Sportsman’s Federation and the Ripcord Association. He and Kathy organized numerous banquets, jamborees, reunions, take-a-kid hunting days and anything to promote the love of nature and being outside.

He was generous to a fault, kind, honest, hardworking and a great husband, son, father and brother. He was also the family and neighborhood historian.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Denise (Ryan) Powers and Brett Widjeskog, grandson, Tyler Powers, siblings, Linda (Chris) Laning, Roy (Susan) Widjeskog, Judy (John Nedohon) McCormick and Sue Widjeskog and numerous nieces, nephews, and family in Finland.

Currahee Memorial Brick Paver Project

Leave a remembrance that will last for all time!

Are you a Currahee? Do you identify with the rich history and proud traditions of this Band of Brothers? If yes and you would like to be remembered for all time for your service in this legendary regiment, or as a friend or relative of the Currahees, read on.

We are proud to announce the Currahee Memorial Brick Paver Project. Our Currahee Memorial has almost 1,500 soldier’s names etched into its’ six granite monoliths. Leaving a personalized brick at the memorial is a visual way for you to show that you remember, honor and respect the ultimate sacrifice of these fallen warriors, and that you feel a bond with them.

Your brick will be permanently installed in the asphalt surface of the troop assembly area at the front of the monument. In essence, your brick with your words and graphics becomes an integral part of this solemn piece of earth that is guaranteed to last for all time.

Profits from donating a brick will help fund the management of the 506th Infantry Regiment Association’s charitable funds and the activities of the active battalion’s Family Readiness Groups. The memorial is located adjacent to the Pratt Museum on Fort Campbell, KY. Due to the cost of installing the pavers, newly purchased ones will be installed not less than twice a year. Contributions to this project are tax deductible.

Questions? Please Contact:  Joe Johnson at: 506pavers@gmail.com or 703-966-6891

The pavers we are using are ISO compliant formed at The Belden Brick Company in Canton, OH, then laser-etched by That’s My Brick!®  based out of Chippewa Falls, WI.  100% American made!

That’s My Brick® uses a patented, laser-based marking process that produces a layer of black, fused glass on any color surface of the brick or tile. The marks are flush with the surface of the brick or tile, which means less maintenance and no chance of wear-based damage.

All samples passed each of the ASTM-specified test conditions (Freeze/Thaw cycling, Salt Spray exposure, Ultraviolet Light exposure) with flying colors. The independent testing has proven that bricks marked with our process and installed properly in the asphalt surface at the Currahee Memorial at Fort Campbell will last longer than our lifetimes.

 Ordering Process
 
•  Credit Cards:

Go to www.thatsmybrick.com/506airborne and follow the online process.

•  Checks & Money Orders:

Print & complete the order form below.  Make payable to:
506th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association
Send the completed form and your payment in care of:
c/o Joe Johnson
129 Harv Loop
Monterey, TN 38574
(No cash, please).

4 X 8 Bricks:
-No graphic. 3 lines of 18 characters per line max.  Example: SSG_SANDY_A_PORTER (Characters include spaces and punctuation.)
-With a graphic.  3 lines of 10 characters per line max. Specify either on the left or right side of the brick for the

8 X 8 Bricks:-
No Graphic. 6 lines of 18 characters per line max.
-Graphic used.  3 lines of 18 characters. The graphic may be on the top or   Specify which.