Last May 22 2013, I hiked a portion of the Shenandoah National Park with one odd assortment of guys who are trying desperately to "Age gracefully". Shenandoah Park is part of the Appalachian trail system, which as you may or may not know, spans or crosses 14 States. The Shenandoah park is beautiful, and is hiker friendly with all sorts of amenities for the Day hiker and thru hiker alike.
The Following participants were there:
Steve Powell, Former LRS Company commander; Richard A Boothe, former LRS First Sergeant; Dan "Dusty" Rhodes former LRS Team leader and Robert Drovie , also a former member (and Company Guidon bearer) of Echo Company 51st Infantry Long Range Surveillance Company.
Our "Service & support" element consisted of Christopher Boothe, the son of Richard, who provide us with transportation, Beer, chow and comedy relief, as well as a RANT about the evils of camping with "Domed Tents".
Tim Pendergrass (also a former member of Echo Co.) Drove up from Raleigh Durham NC. and made a "Cameo appearance" in order to cook us a Steak Dinner and a hearty Breakfast the next morning (which helped us over come the slight hangover we had from drinking too much beer and peach "Shine" which Tim surprised us with). Both meals were a Welcomed and devoured with Gusto, especially the large linked breakfast sausages....mmm, mmm, mmm.
The best part of the whole journey was the "Fellowship". The weather began a bit Cold and Rainy for the first day or two, but over all, despite the occasional chilly winds , we all enjoyed the vistas and scenic over looks, and the tired, but relieved feeling one has after a full days hike. I laughed, and made others laugh, something I had missed for so long, living the isolated life I currently live.
So many stories to share. we all had a hand in sharing stories from our past Military experiences together, things we didn't know, didn't remember, or remembered and wanted to forget, were brought to light and marveled over and laughed about once again. This walk was like Detox for the soul. Reconnecting with people you shared a unique part of Military History with, men we created a bond with, and after all these years, we collectively looked back, and truly appreciate the part each one of us played in the creating of our Alma matter, "Echo Company 51st Infantry". The event brought back some lost feelings, feelings most young at heart men still nurture, but guys like us seemed to let slip away. (one can't go out to Walmart and purchase an over the counter elixir like Camaraderie ).
This April 25, 2014, 6 or more former members of Echo Company are going to hit it again, this time, in Mountain Ranger Camp area, Camp Merrill in Dahlonega Georgia. We plan to spend 5 days hiking the AT in that location. Some of us haven't returned to Camp Merrill since we graduated Ranger School, so this should be a real treat, if not a "Flash back" producing walk. Dusty Rhodes lives not far from Dahlonega, and maintains contact with the Mountain Ranger Camp Association.
Alan Parten was a big help providing us with information and the change in Dates for the "Critter Crawl" (Mountain Ranger Camp cook out and get together) which will be happening around the same time we hike. Thus Far, the hikers will be Myself, Steve Powell, Dave Guinn, Sean McCartney, Dusty Rhodes, and Robert Drovie (and his "Truck-sack").
Possible visits and or guest appearances will be made by Mark Mergenhagen and MSG Raymond Draper, both former Echo Co. soldiers.
The Following participants were there:
Steve Powell, Former LRS Company commander; Richard A Boothe, former LRS First Sergeant; Dan "Dusty" Rhodes former LRS Team leader and Robert Drovie , also a former member (and Company Guidon bearer) of Echo Company 51st Infantry Long Range Surveillance Company.
Our "Service & support" element consisted of Christopher Boothe, the son of Richard, who provide us with transportation, Beer, chow and comedy relief, as well as a RANT about the evils of camping with "Domed Tents".
Tim Pendergrass (also a former member of Echo Co.) Drove up from Raleigh Durham NC. and made a "Cameo appearance" in order to cook us a Steak Dinner and a hearty Breakfast the next morning (which helped us over come the slight hangover we had from drinking too much beer and peach "Shine" which Tim surprised us with). Both meals were a Welcomed and devoured with Gusto, especially the large linked breakfast sausages....mmm, mmm, mmm.
The best part of the whole journey was the "Fellowship". The weather began a bit Cold and Rainy for the first day or two, but over all, despite the occasional chilly winds , we all enjoyed the vistas and scenic over looks, and the tired, but relieved feeling one has after a full days hike. I laughed, and made others laugh, something I had missed for so long, living the isolated life I currently live.
So many stories to share. we all had a hand in sharing stories from our past Military experiences together, things we didn't know, didn't remember, or remembered and wanted to forget, were brought to light and marveled over and laughed about once again. This walk was like Detox for the soul. Reconnecting with people you shared a unique part of Military History with, men we created a bond with, and after all these years, we collectively looked back, and truly appreciate the part each one of us played in the creating of our Alma matter, "Echo Company 51st Infantry". The event brought back some lost feelings, feelings most young at heart men still nurture, but guys like us seemed to let slip away. (one can't go out to Walmart and purchase an over the counter elixir like Camaraderie ).
This April 25, 2014, 6 or more former members of Echo Company are going to hit it again, this time, in Mountain Ranger Camp area, Camp Merrill in Dahlonega Georgia. We plan to spend 5 days hiking the AT in that location. Some of us haven't returned to Camp Merrill since we graduated Ranger School, so this should be a real treat, if not a "Flash back" producing walk. Dusty Rhodes lives not far from Dahlonega, and maintains contact with the Mountain Ranger Camp Association.
Alan Parten was a big help providing us with information and the change in Dates for the "Critter Crawl" (Mountain Ranger Camp cook out and get together) which will be happening around the same time we hike. Thus Far, the hikers will be Myself, Steve Powell, Dave Guinn, Sean McCartney, Dusty Rhodes, and Robert Drovie (and his "Truck-sack").
Possible visits and or guest appearances will be made by Mark Mergenhagen and MSG Raymond Draper, both former Echo Co. soldiers.
