2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of Operation Anaconda and the ongoing deployment to Afghanistan in support of the opening days of Operation Enduring Freedom. Everyone who served with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (aka TF RAKKASAN) as partnered, support, task organized or directly assigned is a RAKKASAN now and for eternity.
The Hamburger Hill Chapter of the National Association hosts an annual reunion in May to coincide with the Battle for Hill 937 in Vietnam in 1969. This year, they are opening arms to honor the Anniversary of Operation Anaconda - and everyone is invited. Most of the events will take place with active and veteran Rakkasans of all eras, with a few gatherings focused specifically on OEF involvement.
Additionally, veterans of 3 PPCLI (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) will attend the reunion after they host a event remembering Operation Apollo in Canada this April.
In true Air Assault fashion, the coordinators for the OEF veterans have compiled the below planning guidance and an “execution checklist” to make sure participants are prepared on arrival in May.
ALL PARTICIPANTS:
When you register for the reunion on the National Rakkasan Association events page, you will have the option to purchase tickets for extra events: an evening at the Grand Ol’ Opry, a golf scramble, and a ladies lunch for spouses.
You can donate to the hospitality suite (Open for the duration of the reunion, limitless drinks and snacks) or sponsor an active duty soldier to attend the reception and dinner. This is a great tradition that the Hamburger Hill Chapter observes, and it would be great if the Afghanistan veterans can contribute as well.
Once registered, you will receive all reunion updates through the National Rakkasan Association site - if you are not registered yet, you can subscribe for updates to receive emails about the reunion.
The reunion hotel is the Country Inn & Suites Clarksville. Five blocks of rooms have been reserved in the name of the Hamburger Hill / Rakkasan reunion. Please contact the hotel directly at (931) 645-1400 for your room reservations. You cannot do it online. When you call, inform them that you are part of the Hamburger Hill/Rakkasan group to get our $89 rate (plus tax). The rooms are separate from the registration cost and they fill up quickly so do not delay!
If/when the hotel fills up, There are several hotels within walking distance They are: the Hampton Inn, The Guesthouse Inn, Candlewood Suites, Home2 by Hilton, Tru by Hilton and La Quinta. The only negotiated rates with the “overflow” hotels is the La Quinta, but they are very close to the main hotel.
We are in the process of planning an additional reception for Afghanistan Rakkasans. Details forthcoming.
AMERICAN PARTICIPANTS:
If you choose to drive your own vehicle to Fort Campbell to attend reunion events, you will be able to access the post by presenting a valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, military ID card etc).
Dress code for the formal dinner is coat and tie. Retired Rakkasans have been known to wear their dress uniforms…if they still fit!
CANADIAN PARTICIPANTS:
All Canadian participants will be required to register with Fort Campbell. Name and passport number will need to be forwarded to Jeff Wilson, Canadian Rakkasan Reunion Coordinator at jc.wilson.edm@gmail.com NLT first week of March. This is critical in order to access the base and functions.
If you are currently serving, your leave pass must show authorization to travel to the USA and be annotated that you are authorized to wear a uniform if you intend to wear your uniform for the memorial or your mess kit for the formal dinner. If you are on duty travel, you are responsible for gaining cross-border and visit approvals on the military side via your unit and higher HQ.
Any attendees with special requirements to include mobility, hearing or vision should be passed to Jeff Wilson, Canadian Rakkasan Reunion Coordinator at jc.wilson.edm@gmail.com as soon as possible for integration into the Reunion Plans.
Line | ACTION | STATUS |
1 | Sign up for the reunion on the National Rakkasan Association’s homepage, under the “Events” tab. You will be signing up for the 53rd Hamburger Hill Reunion. (The base registration fee is $170 per person. This fee covers all of the “base” events and includes: tickets to the formal dinner and the informal reception, full access to the hospitality suite at the hotel and transportation to all events.) | |
2 | In addition to registering on the National Rakkasan Association site, please register your information in our OEF/OP APOLLO (Canadian Operation following Anaconda) database by clicking HERE This will help us in our planning for refreshments and transportation for any Afghanistan Rakkasan events. | |
3 | Make room reservations Country Inn & Suites Clarksville 3075 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. Clarksville, TN 37040 Phone Front Desk: 931-645-1400 E-mail: cx_clrk@countryinnamericas.com | |
4 | Pass the word along to as many unit members as possible! | |
5 | Locate your old Rakkasan paraphernalia and photos to bring to the reunion. | |
6 | If you are planning to drive your POV onto Fort Campbell, remember to remove the firearms from your car… | |
7 | …See You at Check-In on May 16! | |
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