CSM Robert Gallagher Memorial Chaotic Kayak Race

This year's 2015 Chaotic Kayak Race benefiting Team River Runner's wounded veteran program has been changed to 'CSM Robert Gallagher Memorial Chaotic Kayak Race'. Command Sargent Major Robert Gallagher passed away this year due to natural causes with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. He will be missed by all that served with him and all that got to know him in Love City, he was America's Bad-Ass.

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Gallagher, who parachuted into Panama during Operation Just Cause, served as a platoon sergeant with Task Force Ranger in the Somalia battle known by “Black Hawk Down,” and fought his way into Baghdad in 2003 was found dead in his Georgia home Oct. 13 of natural causes.

He was 52 years old.

The Third Infantry Division announced his death on Facebook. According to the 3rd ID, Gallagher was the 3rd Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment command sergeant major during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. During the initial invasion, he was injured and continued to engage the enemy while a soldier rendered first aid on his leg.

He had a distinguished career earning two Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Bronze Star with “V” device, and numerous other awards, medals, and achievements, 3rd ID wrote on Facebook.

Gallagher was born in Bayonne, N.J., in 1962. He joined the U.S. Army in 1981 and retired in 2013, according to an online obituary hosted by the Richmond Hill Funeral Home.

Burial will be held in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a later date, according to the obituary.

Gallagher joined U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program as the new Sergeant Major in late 2009. In an interview with the organizations AW2 blog, Gallagher recalled his most memorable moments:

“[T]he combat parachute assault from 500 feet into Panama is something you never forget — especially while under fire.”

And remembering both gallantry and loss, “The best day and the worst day of my life was when I served in Mogadishu, Somalia, on October 3, 1993, as a part of Task Force Ranger.”

Original Story

St John's Chaotic Kayak Set For Sunday 2 Aug 2015

The date is set for this years Chaotic Kayak, Sunday 2 August 2015 at Oppenheimer Beach benefiting Team River Runner/Wounded Veterans. If you are a Legacy Team from previous years you will be given priority for this years event, If you have not been contacted yet please message through Facebook or text 340-514-0778, we are limited to 32 teams and spots are filling up fast! 6 Volunteers will be coming from the states and Grande Bay has graciously donated lodging again this year making their stay much more comfortable in St John as some are in wheel chairs being able to roll into town right off the elevators. While the event is just over a month away things are already in motion, the events website is alive and the donation links are up, for every $100 your team raises before the event your team will get a 5 second head start. Who will be victorious this year and hold the coveted Golden Paddle?

Chaotic Kayak Website

Office of Veterans Affairs on the Way to St. John

The Office of Veterans Affairs will be having office hours on the island of St. John the second Friday of every month beginning Friday June 12th 2015. Operating hours for the St. John office will be 930am – 230pm and will be located at the Battery in Cruz Bay.

Any Veteran residing on the island of St. John that needs assistance can come to the office between these hours and receive the same services they would if they were at the St. Thomas or St. Croix office to include obtaining a local Veteran I.D.

It is strongly recommend that you call the St. Thomas office at 340-774-6100 and schedule an appointment if it is your intent to visit the St. John office. “Setting an appointment will ensure that we have your files available when you arrive. This is also an attempt to live up to our promise to the Veterans that reside on St. John when we told them they will not be left out. Improving the Quality of Life for every Veteran within the territory at every opportunity is what the team within the Office of Veterans Affairs is striving to do. If the need arises to have an additional day added to the St. John schedule in the future we will do just that ”, said Director Farrell.

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Veterans Affairs Office Opening In St. John On Friday

By the Viconsortium

ST. JOHN — The Office of Veterans Affairs has announced that beginning on Friday and every second Friday thereafter, veterans of the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands will able to receive assistance without traveling to St. Thomas.

 
For more information click here.

 

From the Virgin Islands National Park

It was an honor for Virgin Islands National Park and all the participants to have three Wounded Warriors from Team River Runner, Timothy Payne, Aaron Hale and Joshua Palmer, compete in the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim. The three competitors are in the center of the photo, encircled by their three Team River Runner helpers.

Veteran Aaron Hale, who is legally blind, completed the short course (1 mile), double amputee Tim Payne finished the long course (3 1/2 miles) in the assisted (snorkel and face mask) category taking first place for his age group. Wounded vet Josh Palmer completed the long course in the unassisted category.

Congratulations Tim, Aaron and Josh!

Photo © Judy Buchholz, all rights reserved

Welcome to St John's Team River Runner BLOG. This site will post updates on any information concerning veterans and wounded veterans that live on or are visiting St John,  Team River Runner/Combat Wounded Veterans have chapters all over the U.S. Every August the Fundraiser Chaotic Kayak is held in Oppenheimer Beach where the community comes out in force to raise monies for specially selected TRR Veterans to visit St John the first week of September.