CPL William M. Amundson

Cpl. William M. Amundson, 21, was a mortarman assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. He was born June 4, 1983 in Texas.

He was killed Oct. 18, 2004, during a ground assault force infiltration in eastern Afghanistan when the Ground Mobility Vehicle he was riding in rolled over.

A native of The Woodlands, Texas, Cpl. Amundson enlisted in the Army in May 2001 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as an indirect fire infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Training Detachment, 75th Ranger Regt.

He graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in November 2001 and was then assigned to 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt. He served there as a 60 mm mortar gunner.

Cpl. Amundson’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Award, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge with combat jump device. He was also awarded the German Parachutist Badge.

Cpl. Amundson was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal.

He is survived by his parents, Michele Sanderson of Montgomery, Texas, and William Amundson Sr. of Plano, Texas.

As a Ranger, Cpl. William Amundson distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor, and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.

– RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! –

SFC Lance Herman Vogeler

Sgt. 1st Class Lance Herman Vogeler, 29, was killed by enemy indirect fire during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Vogeler was a mortars section leader assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. He was on his 12th deployment in support of the War on Terror with four previous deployments to Iraq and seven to Afghanistan.

He was born on Aug. 9, 1981 in Manchester, Md and enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 2001 from his hometown of Frederick, Md. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga., as an indirect fire infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program also at Fort Benning.

Vogeler graduated from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and was then assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in December 2001, where he served as a gunner, fire direction chief, fire direction computer, squad leader and mortars section leader. His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, Emergency Room Medical Technician Basic Course, the U.S. Army Ranger Course, Infantry Mortar Platoon Course, Warrior Leader Course, Jumpmaster Course, Advanced Leader Course and the Senior Leader Course.

His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and the Parachutists Badge. He has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with combat star, Iraq Campaign Medal with combat star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral one, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral one. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Vogeler is survived by his wife, Melissa, son Colin and daughter, Madison and parents, Timothy and Donna Vogeler. Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund has given a significant amount in financial aid to assist Melissa with support for son Colin, who has special needs, many of which are not covered by the VA. 

We also presented the family with a hand-painted portrait of Lance, commissioned by the American Fallen Soldiers Project, at our annual Gold Star Memorial event.

A Run Down Hero Highway

Friends,

 

Last year over 850 people joined us on New York City’s Hudson River Park along “Hero Highway” demonstrating an unbelievable display of human spirit. In the past three years we have run/walked and together raised over $150,000 for the families of our U.S. Army Rangers.

 

 

On Sunday November 14, 2010, our friends, families, colleagues and patriotic neighbors are taking to the streets one more time. We are joining strides a few days after Veterans Day to celebrate the life of local hero Sgt. James J. Regan, recognize past and present protectors of our Flag and to celebrate the unbreakable resolve of the American soul. Together we are going to embark on a 4.5 mile Fun Run/Walk down “Hero Highway” to raise money for the Lead The Way Fund. Your participation, pride and support are key!

 

COME RUN WITH US AGAIN!

 

Registration is close. Walk-in’s are welcome… See you there!

 

 

 

The logistics for the event are as follows (see attached flier for full details):

 

When:              Sunday, November 14, 2010

What:               4.5 mile Fun Run/Walk, followed by a post-race party

Where:            Registration – Pier 46 (Charles Street and West Street);

 

Post-race party – PJ Clarke’s on the Hudson – 250 Vesey Street (located in the World Financial Center)

 

 

Time:

9:03am:           We register

10:00am:         We run/walk

11:00am:         We toast together at post race party

 

 

Cost:  $50 Adult; $25 Student; $20 under 12 (toddlers free)

*includes “A Run Down Hero Highway” tee-shirt and post-race brunch

*all costs increase by $10 day for walk-ins

 

 

Dress: Patriotic and WARM! There will be a prize for best patriotic costume

 

 

Register:  Click the “Add to Cart” buttons above to securely register for this event.

 

 

Who:  Everyone you know who would enjoy this day. This is a family friendly event, children and strollers are welcome

 

 

The Lead The Way Fund was created in honor of our friend and teammate Sgt. James J. Regan (“Jimmy”) who was killed in Iraq while serving with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Jimmy was a star in all senses of the word. Growing up in Manhasset Long Island, Jimmy excelled both academically and athletically at Chaminade High School and later became a scholarship lacrosse player at Duke University. After graduating from Duke, Jimmy answered the greater calling within him and in 2004 enlisted in the United States Army. There he graduated 1st in his Basic Training Class out of 400 soldiers and later earned himself a place amongst the coveted, revered and feared Army Rangers. Jimmy went on to serve his Country with pride and valor for two tours in the rugged hills of Afghanistan and two tours in the city streets of Iraq.

 

 

On February 9, 2007, while serving what was to be his final deployment to the Middle East before leaving the Army, Jimmy was tragically struck down in Baqubah, Iraq. As expected, he was a decorated soldier, earning a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and several other medals marking his service and leadership in some of the darkest corners on some of the darkest days. With his all-American smile and un-matched character, Jimmy Regan was everything that is beautiful about the human soul and everything that is great about our Country.

 

 

The Lead The Way Fund, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization established by the Regan Family to raise funds in support of families of U.S. Army Rangers who have died, have been disabled or who are currently serving in harm’s way around the world. The average annual income of an Army Ranger is below $25,000, typically leaving them with insufficient means to provide for their families if they are killed or disabled. The funds raised by the Lead The Way Fund at events like the “A Run Down Hero Highway” provide spouses and children of deceased, disabled or active duty Rangers with assistance for health and wellness and other financial aid programs.

 

 

On November 15th we register at 9:03am (the time denoting when UA Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower at the World Trade Center), and then we run for Jimmy and the countless others like him who provide the blanket of freedom we sleep so soundly under. We will make our way down the Hudson River Park, past Ground Zero with our eyes on the Statue of Liberty. This swath of lower Manhattan on West St. which many of our friends and family walked down to escape the terror of 9/11 is sacred ground and affectionately deemed… “Hero Highway.” There is no better place to honor the life of Jimmy Regan and the sacrifice of our soldiers.

 

 

Please forward this along to anyone you think would have an interest in partaking in this event or in donating to the Lead the Way Fund. We hope you can come out to join us!

 

God Bless America,

Jamie Brodsky

Daniel Roediger

Keating Crown

Danny Hauber

Chris Haunss

Andrew Stroud

Blake Byczek

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