My father James Luna died on January 24th, 2009 and was given taps and had members from the 187th RCT present. He lived a good life and was a good father.
"As children of these Paratroopers, we only remember the stories that they told us and how they smiled telling them"
Robert Luna
The 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans) is a regiment of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) of the United States Army.
The regimental motto is the Latin "Ne Desit Virtus" ("Let Valor Not Fail"). The nickname "The Rakkasans" is derived from the Japanese word for umbrella. The name was given to the 187th during its tour in occupied Japan following World War II. When a translator dealing with local Japanese dignitaries was trying to explain what their unit was trained to do (and not knowing the Japanese word for "airborne soldiers") he used the phrase "falling down umbrella men", or rakkasan. Bemused by the clumsy word, the locals began to call the troopers by that nickname; it soon stuck and became a point of pride for the unit.
Currently, the 1st Battalion - 187th Infantry and the 3rd Battalion - 187th Infantry are active in the 101st Airborne's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
