Jopek Stetson awarded to newly enlisted cavalry soldiers in honor of Ryan Jopek

The Jopek Stetson is an award given annually to a newly enlisted member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 105th Cavalry Regiment.

It’s named after Sgt. Ryan Jopek of Merrill, who was deployed to southwest Asia in 2005 and died in combat on Aug 1, 2006, near Tikrit, Iraq.

Ryan Jopek enlisted in the Army National Guard and was assigned as a cavalry scout to the 105th Cavalry when he was still attending Merrill High School in 2003.

In joining the Army National Guard, he took after his father Brian Jopek, a reporter for The Lakeland Times, retired staff sergeant and a War on Terror combat veteran as well.

For Ryan’s deployment, the 105th was sent to southwest Asia as part of the 32nd Brigade Combat Team’s Second Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment and tasked with conducting convoy security operations into Iraq from a base on the Kuwait/Iraq border.

This year, the Jopek Stetson, which was created in 2017, was awarded to specialist Marlee Strysiek. 

The traditions of United States cavalry soldiers run deep and the history of the cavalry goes all the way back to 1776. According to the U.S. Army, the role of the cavalry has always been reconnaissance, security and mounted assault. 

A stetson is a black circle-brimmed hat worn traditionally by cavalry soldiers, as well as strapping spurs on their heels. Both are worn for formal cavalry events. 

Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Reinhart said Strysiek was honored with the Jopek Stetson for her “unwavering determination” and setting an example for other soldiers, among other things.

He said members of the 105th Cavalry Regiment participate in a “spur ride” to show their “technical and tactical abilities as a scout,” which encompasses two days of very difficult challenges. 

Strysiek, Reinhart said, “fiercely tackled these grueling challenges.” The spur ride also is when scouts can earn their spurs.

“Specialist Strysiek’s selfless dedication was evident when she volunteered for a Papua New Guinea mission, demonstrating her willingness to go above and beyond to support global operations representing the 105th Cavalry Regiment to its highest standards,” he continued. “And, moreover, specialist Strysiek’s remarkable physical fitness performance achieving the top score, 574, serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication to maintaining peak physical readiness. Specialist Strysiek exemplary conduct embodies the Army values and sets a standard for others to follow, and by so, she’s being trusted to wear this stetson proudly and honorably.”

Reinhart indicated how important the Jopek Stetson is not only to the 105th Cavalry Regiment, but to himself as well. 

“I actually deployed with Ryan back in (2005-2006) to the same location and I was overseas when he passed away,” Reinhart said. “So I take it kind of to heart in regards to trying to keep (his) memory alive.”

He said the honorary stetson has a pin attached to it with “RDJ,” the initials of Ryan, signifying it is indeed the Jopek Stetson. 

Brian Jopek indicated how appreciative he was of the Jopek Stetson and said he hopes those who are awarded it are just as proud to have received their stetson as Ryan Jopek was when he first earned his cavalry stetson.

“There are a number of things that have been done since Ryan’s been gone that have been done to keep his name out there, whether it’s the scholarship in his name at Merrill High School, the bench and legacy stone for him at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville, the drill floor dedicated in his memory at the 105th Cavalry’s armory on Wright Street in Madison or his ‘66 Chevy pickup truck he bought when he was 14 and restored from the frame up after he was KIA,” Brian Jopek said. “The Stetson is another way some good people have come together and found a way to make sure Ryan will always be remembered. I hope the people who are awarded the Jopek Stetson cherish it as Ryan did when he earned his cavalry Stetson.” 

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].