Thirty-two Army Rangers have been inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in honor of their contributions to the famed regiment and the Army.

The ceremony, which took place in late July at Fort Benning, Georgia, recognized the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021—each with 16 inductees—representing “America’s most extraordinary Rangers.” The ceremony was several months in the making, especially for the 2020 inductees, whose ceremony was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 32 inductees—and the Rangers who came before them—represent more than just history, said Col. Antwan Dunmyer, commander of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade. “It’s more than just history to me, it’s freedom, that’s what these men fought for and died for,” he said, according to WBRL.com.

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. John Burns, a Class 2020 inductee and veteran of Operations Just Cause, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, now joins the heroes he looked up to in the Ranger Hall of Fame.

“You know all of the people who have been inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame prior to you, and those were your heroes growing up in regiment or growing up in the ARTB,” Burns told WTVM9. “They were always your heroes, so when you become one of them, it’s a very humbling experience.”

The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade recognized the inductees’ service in a Facebook post, calling them “some of the most exceptional Rangers in the history of our nation. Their seemingly endless list of significant contributions, selfless sacrifice, loyal service, and profound character stand as examples to all professionals.  They are a tremendous source of pride and inspiration to us all.”

The inductees in Class 2020 are retired Lt. Gen. Francis Kearney; retired Cols. Patrick Stevens, Arthur Kandarian, Russ Kotwal and Chaplain Steven Berry; retired Lt. Col. Robert Suchke; retired Command Sgts. Maj. John Burns, Thomas Siter and George Gates; retired Sgt. Maj. Michael Fedowitz; retired 1st Sgt. David Cummings; retired Master Sgts. Richard Barela and Alan Buford; retired Air Force Master Sgt. Lester Cook; retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Richardson; and Dr. Thomas Hatfield.

Class 2021 includes retired Lt. Gens. Michael Ferriter and Robert Wagner; retired Maj. Gen. Jeffery Bannister; retired Cols. Harvey Cook, Jack Donovan, Clarence Matsuda and William Powell; retired Lt. Col. Mark Ponzilla; retired Command Sgts. Maj. Ralph Borja, Mark Collazos, Richard Davis, Carl Dedrick and Hugh Roberts; retired Sgt. Maj. Clem Lemke; retired Sgt. Stephen Crabtree; and Jonnie Clasen.

The Ranger Hall of Fame has been recognizing the contributions of Rangers since 1992. Inductees are selected from Ranger units and associations representing each era of Ranger history, and they must have served in a Ranger unit during combat or have been a graduate of the Army Ranger School.