Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Sgt. James Regan


Sgt. James Regan
Army Ranger - Duke Lacrosse
1980-2007
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The Ranger Creed
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Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.
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Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move farther, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.
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Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One-hundred-percent and then some.
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Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
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Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
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Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.
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Rangers Lead The Way!
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Jimmy Regan went from his Long Island roots to Duke as a determined athlete and student.
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"Just a terrific personality. Always a smile on his face. His teammates just loved to be around him," his coach, Mike Pressler, said over the phone Monday. "He was the kind of kid that every coach in America would be proud to call his own. I can't imagine a better teammate or a better friend."
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By the spring of 2002, Regan was a senior and close to graduating with a degree in economics. He was on the all-Atlantic Coast Conference academic team as a midfielder. In the conference championship game, against No. 1 Virginia, he scored four goals and the Blue Devils won 14-13. Pressler still remembers how the media flocked around him afterward. How happy Regan was. The star of the game. The hero.
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"It was just his day in the sun," Pressler said. "I'm sure it was something he never forgot."
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Regan had a scholarship to go to law school after Duke. Also an offer to work at a financial company. "But he felt like he had a higher calling," Pressler said.
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Regan joined the Army Rangers. Later, he figured, he'd come back to his life. One day, he would coach a lacrosse team, and help kids find the happiness he had that spring day against Virginia. So he left Duke behind, just as the class of 2006 -- when the world caved in the Blue Devils lacrosse team -- was entering.
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Somewhere in Iraq last week, Sgt. James John Regan was killed in action. No other details.
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He had served double tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, returning to harm's way again and again and again. He had been awarded a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, other medals. He was 26 years old.

American flags lined an exclusive Manhasset, L.I., street for at least a mile and a half yesterday in honor of a hometown Army Ranger who became the third graduate of his high school to die in Iraq.

Sgt. James Regan, 26, died Friday when a roadside bomb hit the Stryker tactical vehicle he was riding in while on combat patrol in the town of Baqubah, said military spokesman Bruce Hill.

Fiercely competitive and laser-like in his intensity, Regan had rejected a career in law or finance in favor of the Army.

"If I don't do this, who will?" Regan told his fiancée, medical student Mary McHugh, of his decision to enlist.

"He was blessed with talents and intelligence. To be of service to his country ... he wanted to do this more than anything," Regan's family said in a statement.
Profoundly affected by the 9/11 attacks that killed a dozen neighbors, Regan turned down a job at financial-services firm UBS and put off a scholarship to Southern Methodist University Law School to join the Army.

He turned down Officers Training School, saying it would slow his ability to join the Rangers. There, he became highly decorated in his four tours - two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan - earning a purple heart and bronze star, among others.

He planned to marry McHugh after completing his service next February and to teach.
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Regan is survived by his parents, three sisters and his fiancée. He will be buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are pending.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

DU75 says:

For all of us who are wrapped up in the Duke Lacrosse Hoax (probably more than we ought to be), trying to unravel the mess created by Nifong and his enablers, principally including the G88/87, with its "listening" ad, reflecting faculty members' hostility against Duke students and due process, it is important to step back, see the bigger picture, and recognize the true heroism and dedication to community and service which Sgt. Regan represented.

Anonymous said...

Deepest condolences to his family, what a remarkable man.

Anonymous said...

Sgt Regan I salute you. My prayers & gratitude are for his family. They raised a real Hero.

Anonymous said...

Sgt Regan --

I salute and thank you for your service to the country. May God bless and keep you and your family for your service and sacrifice. RIP.

Anonymous said...

This is heartbreaking - thanks for publishing this youg man's picture. There is nothing worse than the death of a son or daughter.

Anonymous said...

My deepest symppathy to the family of this American Hero.

Anonymous said...

Carolyn says:

Sgt. James Regan was the best of the best.

My deepest sympathy to his family and loved ones.

Dover Foundation said...

God bless you, SGT Regan.

Anonymous said...

I'm one of the Duke alumni who have been closely following the lacrosse case, maddened by the causeless prosecution of the 3, and dismayed by the moronic persecution of the entire lacrosse team by some Duke administrators and faculty. The athletes I knew from Duke have been successful in life because of what they learned about loyalty, perseverance, and hard work from their sports involvement.

James Regan took those traits to the battlefield and there is no greater success story.

Good Bless You, James Regan.

Anonymous said...

Maximum respect to the ginger ninja.

Anonymous said...

“De Oppresso Libre” Sgt. Regan. You are a credit to the Ranger Community. RIP

Anonymous said...

Sgt. Regan and I attended Ranger school together and for those who know him well, he and I both took the "extended stay" in Mountain phase. I miss you buddy! Rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

I did Pre-Ranger and Darby with him. He was one of the most thourghly decent human beings I have had the pleasure to work beside. Let us never forget to do one more for the airborne ranger in sky.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Regan!

JimB said...

Thank you Jimmy Regan! I just stumbled across a re-run of the Chaminade at Manhassat Lacrosse game and just saw the story about a true United States War Hero! What a story. I live in Raleigh, NC just minutes from Duke University. I actually grew up In Raleigh, N.C. and graduated from North Carolina State University.
Jimmy's story is amazing and shows the unselfish actions of a true man! The story brought a tear to my eye and I am truly proud to have seen such a terrific story about a terrific person and the love of his family! I never heard of Jimmy Regan before today but I am truly touched by his story and like his sisters said, do not complain about life and take things as they come in the most mature way we can!
Thank you sir, Sgt. Jimmy Regan!!!
God bless you and the entire Regan family! My deepest sympathy goes out to you!

Jim Beck
Raleigh, NC

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, people tend to treat celebrities as "heroes", but they are not heroes... They are not even close to being heroes.

YOU are a true Hero.

God Bless you in Heaven,
Sgt. James J. Regan.
We can't thank you enough for defending our America.

Sincerely,
A 9/11/01 south WTC tower
collapse survivor