Colonel Ronald W. Barnes, Commanding Officer
Colonel Barnes enlisted with the Pawtuxet Rangers in 1987. He started off as a drummer and has enjoyed playing in the Fife & Drum. He has previously held the positions of Artillery Officer and Executive Officer. He enjoys working in the armory and making educational presentations for the Company. Colonel Barnes is also currently the Commander of the Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands. He is a recipient of the Honorable Order of St. Barbara and the Rhode Island Meritorious Service Award. Colonel Barnes is a Life Member of the Company.
Lieutenant Colonel Philip Rowell, Executive Officer
Lieutenant Colonel Rowell, driven by an interest in local history and the Rangers, enlisted in 2010. Starting as a private, he has risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and now serves as the Company’s Executive Officer after a stint as Adjutant. While he works with the musket line, artillery and color guard he has a particular interest in helping to maintain our historic armory.
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Gilbert, Adjutant
Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert enlisted in 1988 as a musket man, was promoted to Corporal as Company Clerk and then to Sergeant. He was elected as Armory Security Officer, served as Colors Officer, Adjutant, Executive Officer and has returned to the Adjutant position. He had served as company clerk on and off (mostly on) since 1989. He has served all positions on the artillery and is qualified as a Gun Captain. He is also very involved with the encampments. Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert is a Life Member of the Company.
Lieutenant Susan O’Hara, Finance Officer
Major Sandra Barnes, Liaison to Finance
Major Barnes enlisted with the Pawtuxet Rangers in June 2004 while looking for a family oriented community group. She joined as a member of the color guard and was elected to Finance Officer shortly thereafter. She has previously held the position of Colors Officer and supports the Militia and Fife and Drum Corps. Major Barnes was awarded with the RI Militia Historic Order of St. Barbara for her support of the artillery. Along with her duties for the Pawtuxet Rangers, she is also a proud supporter of the Centennial Legion and regularly attends their activities.
Lieutenant Michael Malloy, Artillery Officer
Lieutenant Malloy enlisted in 1992 as a private and rose through the ranks to Sergeant Major. He was commissioned to Artillery Officer and Operations Officer before retiring in 2012. He re-enlisted in 2016 to share his 50 yrs of reenacting experience to new members.
Lieutenant Meg Warburton, Colors Officer
Lieutenant Warburton has been with the Rangers for five years. She has served as Colors Sergeant and recently was commissioned to Colors Officer. She grew up watching the Gaspee Days parade, which she hasn’t missed once in 23 years. Watching the Rangers lead the parade all of those years is what inspired her to join the group.
Major Linda Deming, Commanding Officer, Fife & Drum
Major Deming joined the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife and Drum Corps in 1972 as a fifer when the Gaspee Days Committee formed a fife and drum Corps and reactivated the Pawtuxet Rangers Charter. She has been an active member of the fife and drum corps since. Under her leadership the fife and drum corps has performed at Colonial Williamsburg and Old Sturbridge Village among numerous ceremonies, parades and musters. She enjoys helping to recruit new members and making music with her fellow musicians. Major Deming is a Life Member of the Company.
Major Larry Perez, Executive Officer, Fife & Drum
Major Perez enlisted with the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife & Drum Corps in 2003 after being encouraged to do so by his close friends/neighbors, also members of the Corps. Having relocated to RI in 1999, he was looking for a community organization to join. He had been to several Gaspee Days Parades, where he saw a Fife & Drum Corps for the first time. He was very excited to find the Rangers’ Fife & Drum Corps and be able to rekindle his love of playing an instrument. He was elected Executive Officer of the Corps when Major Deming took over as the Commanding Officer. He enjoys meeting weekly with the members of varying ages to play music and helping keep the history of our country alive.
Colonel K. Frederick Holst, Past Commander – Liaison, Centennial Legion
Colonel Holst enlisted in 1975 as a member of the Musket Line. He advanced to the rank of Color’s Sergeant, Captain of the Colors, Adjutant, Executive Officer and was elected as the Commanding Officer in 1997. As an aside, Col. Holst, a long time resident of Pawtuxet, has been active, in addition to the Rangers, with the Volunteer Fire Co. #1 of Pawtuxet and Harmony Lodge #9, F&AM, Pawtuxet, which at one time or another have been located at Armory Hall. Colonel Holst is a Life Member of the Company.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Deming, Liaison, Fife & Drum
Lieutenant Colonel Deming joined the Pawtuxet Ranger Fife and Drum Corps in 1973 and marched with the corps as support for the CO. By 1975 he had learned to play the fife and joined the fife line. He also enlisted in the Pawtuxet Rangers R.I.M.. For many years he held the position of Commanding Officer of the fife and drum Corps. After stepping down as Commanding Officer he continued to march as a fifer until his retirement. Today he continues to support the fife and drum corps and enjoys helping out with recruitment. Lieutenant Colonel Deming is a Life Member of the Company.
Lieutenant Colonel John Currier, Liaison, USFAA
Lieutenant Colonel Currier enlisted as a private in 1993. He was elected Adjutant in 1994. While serving as Adjutant he also served at various times as Operations Officer and Artillery Officer. In 2003 he was appointed Education Officer. Ltc Currier was elected Executive Officer in 2004 and served as Acting Surgeon from 1995 – 2015.
Captain Robert Besson, Liaison, Colors
Picture Not Available
Major James Collinson, Liaison, Armory
Picture Not Available – Life Member of the Company.
