PROGRAMS
Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) Annual Summit & Water Jump
Every spring, Rangers from every generation converge for four days of fellowship, reflection, and Ranger tradition at the HCF Annual Summit & Water Jump. What began in May 2021 as an impromptu “one-chalk” reunion at Lake Dora quickly grew to eight chalks and more than 80 jumpers—an experience so powerful it sparked the creation of the Foundation itself. More than a reunion, the Summit is where careers are mentored, hardships are shared, and the Airborne Ranger ethos is kept alive—one green-smoke pass at a time. Rangers, families, and supporters are invited to join us in St. Augustine in 2026 and “lead the way” into the water once again. The Summit fee includes the welcome package, pool side dinner on Thursday featuring the music of Acoustic Flair, the Day Room for the weekend and post jump bash. This year, the Post Jump Bash will be held in the beach area at the hotel, so no walking will be needed. Jesse G will be returning this year, and Matt Wynn will also be returning for the Bash entertainment. We are working on a list of added places of interest for you and your families. Parallel programming gives spouses and families their own adventures while jumpers rehearse and rig.
Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) Annual Summit & Water Jump
Every spring, Rangers from every generation converge for four days of fellowship, reflection, and Ranger tradition at the HCF Annual Summit & Water Jump. What began in May 2021 as an impromptu “one-chalk” reunion at Lake Dora quickly grew to eight chalks and more than 80 jumpers—an experience so powerful it sparked the creation of the Foundation itself. More than a reunion, the Summit is where careers are mentored, hardships are shared, and the Airborne Ranger ethos is kept alive—one green-smoke pass at a time. Rangers, families, and supporters are invited to join us in St. Augustine in 2025 and “lead the way” into the water once again. The Summit fee covers a welcome package, a pool-side “Back Azimuth” wellness forum, nightly social events, and the legendary Post-Jump Bash—with past performances by the likes of Nashville artist Jesse G right on the beach. Parallel programming gives spouses and families their own adventures while jumpers rehearse and rig.
Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) Annual Summit & Water Jump
Every spring, Rangers from every generation converge for four days of fellowship, reflection, and Ranger tradition at the HCF Annual Summit & Water Jump. What began in May 2021 as an impromptu “one-chalk” reunion at Lake Dora quickly grew to eight chalks and more than 80 jumpers—an experience so powerful it sparked the creation of the Foundation itself. More than a reunion, the Summit is where careers are mentored, hardships are shared, and the Airborne Ranger ethos is kept alive—one green-smoke pass at a time. Rangers, families, and supporters are invited to join us in St. Augustine in 2025 and “lead the way” into the water once again. The Summit fee covers a welcome package, a pool-side “Back Azimuth” wellness forum, nightly social events, and the legendary Post-Jump Bash—with past performances by the likes of Nashville artist Jesse G right on the beach. Parallel programming gives spouses and families their own adventures while jumpers rehearse and rig.
Rangers Lead the Way!
Antelope Island Memorial
On 29 October 1992, four MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters lifted off from Hill Air Force Base for a joint night training mission with Rangers from C Company, 1-75th Ranger Regiment and Air Force Special Tactics operators. A sudden wall of rain, lightning, and low clouds enveloped Great Salt Lake. Disoriented, one aircraft struck the water just off Antelope Island and exploded on impact, claiming the lives of 12 Special Operators – five Rangers and seven Air Force teammates.
Two years later, families, comrades-in-arms, and local volunteers erected a granite and steel monument near the northern tip of Antelope Island State Park. A stone walkway lined with the names of the fallen leads visitors to a circular plinth that faces the crash site, its interpretive panels recounting the mission and the men who never returned.
Today the Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) serves as the monument’s primary steward. HCF funds annual upkeep—replacing weather-faded photos, restoring engravings, re-sealing stonework, and maintaining the desert landscaping that protects the memorial from salt-laden winds.
Rangers Lead the Way!
Antelope Island Memorial
On 29 October 1992, four MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters lifted off from Hill Air Force Base for a joint night training mission with Rangers from C Company, 1-75th Ranger Regiment and Air Force Special Tactics operators. A sudden wall of rain, lightning, and low clouds enveloped Great Salt Lake. Disoriented, one aircraft struck the water just off Antelope Island and exploded on impact, claiming the lives of 12 Special Operators – five Rangers and seven Air Force teammates.
Two years later, families, comrades-in-arms, and local volunteers erected a granite and steel monument near the northern tip of Antelope Island State Park. A stone walkway lined with the names of the fallen leads visitors to a circular plinth that faces the crash site, its interpretive panels recounting the mission and the men who never returned.
Today the Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) serves as the monument’s primary steward. HCF funds annual upkeep—replacing weather-faded photos, restoring engravings, re-sealing stonework, and maintaining the desert landscaping that protects the memorial from salt-laden winds.
Rangers Lead the Way!
Antelope Island Memorial
On 29 October 1992, four MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters lifted off from Hill Air
Force Base for a joint night training mission with Rangers from C Company, 1-75th
Ranger Regiment and Air Force Special Tactics operators. A sudden wall of rain,
lightning, and low clouds enveloped Great Salt Lake. Disoriented, one aircraft struck
the water just off Antelope Island and exploded on impact, claiming the lives of 12
Special Operators – five Rangers and seven Air Force teammates.
Two years later, families, comrades-in-arms, and local volunteers erected a granite
and steel monument near the northern tip of Antelope Island State Park. A stone
walkway lined with the names of the fallen leads visitors to a circular plinth that faces
the crash site, its interpretive panels recounting the mission and the men who never
returned.
Today, the Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) serves as the monument’s primary
steward. HCF funds annual upkeep—replacing weather-faded photos, restoring engravings, re-sealing
stonework, and maintaining the desert landscaping that protects the memorial from
salt-laden winds.
PFC James W. Markwell Ranger Scholarship
In May 2025, the Hardrock Charlie Foundation established the inaugural PFC James
W. Markwell Ranger Scholarship to ensure that Jim’s spirit of selfless care lives on.
The scholarship:
- Purpose – Support current or former 75th Ranger Regiment soldiers,
their spouses, or their direct descendants who pursue accredited studies
in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, veterinary science, or other healing
professions—fields that mirror Markwell’s twin passions for medicine and
service. - Award structure – An annual grant (minimum $5,000) renewable for
up to four academic years, disbursed directly to the recipient’s educational
institution. - Selection criteria – Demonstrated financial need, a stalwart of community or unit service, and a personal essay describing how the applicant will “revel in the life” Jim helped secure.
- Administration – Managed by HCF’s Scholarship Committee in partnership with the Ranger Scholarship Fund (RSF).
- Ongoing impact – Scholarship recipients are paired with Ranger
mentors in the HCF network, creating a living bridge between the
Regiment’s history and the next generation of caregivers.
PFC James W. Markwell Ranger Scholarship
In May 2025, the Hardrock Charlie Foundation established the inaugural PFC James
W. Markwell Ranger Scholarship to ensure that Jim’s spirit of selfless care lives on.
The scholarship:
- Purpose – Support current or former 75th Ranger Regiment soldiers,
their spouses, or their direct descendants who pursue accredited studies
in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, veterinary science, or other healing
professions—fields that mirror Markwell’s twin passions for medicine and
service. - Award structure – An annual grant (minimum $5,000) renewable for
up to four academic years, disbursed directly to the recipient’s educational
institution. - Selection criteria – Demonstrated financial need, a stalwart of community or unit service, and a personal essay describing how the applicant will “revel in the life” Jim helped secure.
- Administration – Managed by HCF’s Scholarship Committee in partnership with the Ranger Scholarship Fund (RSF).
- Ongoing impact – Scholarship recipients are paired with Ranger
mentors in the HCF network, creating a living bridge between the
Regiment’s history and the next generation of caregivers.
PFC James W. Markwell Ranger Scholarship
In May 2025, the Hardrock Charlie Foundation established the inaugural PFC James W. Markwell Ranger Scholarship to ensure that Jim’s spirit of selfless care lives on. The scholarship:
- Purpose – Support current or former 75th Ranger Regiment soldiers, their spouses, or their direct descendants who pursue accredited studies in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, veterinary science, or other healing professions—fields that mirror Markwell’s twin passions for medicine and service.
- Award structure – An annual grant (minimum $5,000) renewable for up to four academic years, disbursed directly to the recipient’s educational institution.
- Selection criteria – Demonstrated financial need, a stalwart of community or unit service, and a personal essay describing how the applicant will “revel in the life” Jim helped secure.
- Administration – Managed by HCF’s Scholarship Committee in partnership with the Ranger Scholarship Fund (RSF).
- Ongoing impact – Scholarship recipients are paired with Ranger mentors in the HCF network, creating a living bridge between the Regiment’s history and the next generation of caregivers.
Annual Arlington Wreath Laying
Each December, the Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) dispatches a volunteer
detachment of Rangers, Gold Star family members, and supporters to Arlington
National Cemetery to take part in National Wreaths Across America Day—the
country-wide tribute that places a balsam wreath and a spoken name at every
veteran’s headstone.
Wreaths Across America (WAA) traces its roots to 1992, when Maine wreath-maker
Morrill Worcester carried a surplus truckload to Arlington; the quiet gesture grew into
a movement that now spans 5,500 locations, all guided by the three-part charge to
Remember, Honor, and Teach.
Annual Arlington Wreath Laying
Each December, the Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) dispatches a volunteer
detachment of Rangers, Gold Star family members, and supporters to Arlington
National Cemetery to take part in National Wreaths Across America Day—the
country-wide tribute that places a balsam wreath and a spoken name at every
veteran’s headstone.
Wreaths Across America (WAA) traces its roots to 1992, when Maine wreath-maker
Morrill Worcester carried a surplus truckload to Arlington; the quiet gesture grew into
a movement that now spans 5,500 locations, all guided by the three-part charge to
Remember, Honor, and Teach.
Annual Arlington Wreath Laying
Each December, the Hardrock Charlie Foundation (HCF) dispatches a volunteer detachment of Rangers, Gold Star family members, and supporters to Arlington National Cemetery to take part in National Wreaths Across America Day—the country-wide tribute that places a balsam wreath and a spoken name at every veteran’s headstone.
Wreaths Across America (WAA) traces its roots to 1992, when Maine wreath-maker Morrill Worcester carried a surplus truckload to Arlington; the quiet gesture grew into a movement that now spans 5,500 locations, all guided by the three-part charge to Remember, Honor, and Teach.