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Major (Ret.) Roy E. Emerson, originally from Vacaville, California, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1988 as an Infantryman, beginning his career with the 75th Ranger Regiment. He participated in Operation Just Cause, conducting a combat parachute assault in Panama. Over his career, he served in multiple leadership roles, including with the 18th Airborne Corps Long Range Surveillance Company at Fort Bragg, two tours with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, and as an instructor at the U.S. Army Ranger School.

After commissioning as an officer in 2005, he served as a platoon leader and executive officer with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, deploying for 15 months to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He later commanded a headquarters company with there 5th US Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, leading security operations in Iraq during Operation New Dawn. Emerson also served with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, leading global recovery missions to repatriate fallen U.S. servicemen and the US Army Recruiting Battalion , New York City. He concluded his 31-year career as an ROTC instructor at Princeton University.

In early 2024, Emerson was inspired by Army friends who rowed across the Atlantic in World's Toughest Row’s Atlantic Challenge 2023. Their mission aligned with his own passion for supporting veterans, leading him to establish RangeOars Row Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to using ocean rowing as a platform to raise awareness for veteran mental health and suicide prevention. Through endurance challenges and community engagement, the organization aims to inspire resilience, foster camaraderie, and support initiatives that address the struggles many veterans face after service.

The team has been training monthly in Fernandina Beach, Florida to accumulate hours on their vessel AKESO and will formally launch from Monterey Bay, California on June 7th this year and row unsupported for four to six weeks to finish at Hanaleai Bay, Kauai, Hawaii. There are five other teams entered into this year's Pacific Challenge.

Monies raised by Team RangeOars Row will go to several charities close to the team’s hearts; Brother Keeper Veteran Foundation, Gary Sinise Foundation, Three Rangers Foundation and Hardrock Charlie Foundation.

Roy is married to the former Mia Martin of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and they live in Annandale, NJ. Mia is a Chef and together they operate a successful catering company in Frenchtown NJ. Their daughter Rachel is married to Stephen Lee who now lives in Huntsville, AL. Their son, Dagon is a firefighter and EMT with Quakertown Fire Company in Franklin Township. They have one Grandson, Roxas, and one Granddaughter, Clementine.

To learn more about Roy's nonprofit organization RangePars Row and their plans for this year, go to:

https://www.rangeoarsrow.org/

You can also learn more about their partners and purchase merchandise, and make a donation!

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