Black Hat of the Year

Lowell and Lisa, 9/'08

Think where man's glory most begins and ends,
And say my glory was
I had such friends
--William Butler Yeats

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Ranger's last Columbus observation: At a recent breakfast, Ranger's friend Lowell Jergens shared with him that he was honored as the 2008 Black Hat of the Year at the 1-507th annual reunion.

CSM Jergens served in the Republic of Vietnam first with Aco, 2nd Battalion, 327th A.I.R., 101st Airborne Division and then with team 149, 525th M.I. Battalion, MACV.

CSM Jergens was a founding member of the Ft. Benning Sport Parachute Team which became the Silver Wings. He holds a class D parachute license participating in numerous parachute demonstration jumps (from the commemorative brochure.)

Throughout Lowell's exemplary career, his contributions to the Airborne cannot be quantified. He is the yardstick by which the Army measures a soldier.

Lisa has had the pleasure of meeting Lowell twice, and she likes him lots. He wants to do something right for the world, and contributes to several worthy charities. He has a great love of cats, and is actively involved with his area's Trap-Neuter-Release Program (TNR). He will be taking a journaling class in the fall.

This honor is fitting for an airborne soldier of Lowell's distinguished service and experience. It was Ranger's honor to serve with him, and now call him friend.