Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

President's Proclamation for National Airborne Day, Aug. 16
DefenseLink News Article ^ | August 16, 2008 | W

Posted on 08/16/2008 7:00:14 PM PDT by smokingfrog

President's Proclamation for National Airborne Day, Aug. 16

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2001 – Sixty-one years ago, 48 brave volunteer members of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon pioneered a new method of warfare. Their successful jump led to the creation of a mighty force of more than 100,000 paratroopers. Members of this force were assigned to the legendary 11th, 13th, 17th, 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions and numerous other units that fought in every theater during World War II.

The soldiers of the Parachute Test Platoon also forged a unique warrior spirit, a relentless passion for victory, and a reputation that still strikes fear in potential adversaries. Beginning with the first combat jump by the men of the 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, over North Africa in November 1942, airborne and special operations soldiers have made a total of 93 combat jumps. Since World War II, paratroopers have continually distinguished themselves in battle, earning 69 Congressional Medals of Honor and hundreds of other awards for valor.

Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of the first official Army parachute jump, I join all Americans in recognizing these heroes. We salute our Nation's sky troopers, both past and present, for their great service and personal sacrifice in the defense of freedom and liberty around the world.

Best wishes to all for a memorable observance.

GEORGE W. BUSH


TOPICS: Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous; Reference
KEYWORDS: airborne; army; geronimo; history; milhist; milhistory; parachute
"I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go. And did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness, should I fail. I have seen the face of terror, felt the cold sting of fear, and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment of love. I have cried, pained and hoped, but most of all I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say I was proud of what I was!" - An Airborne Soldier


1 posted on 08/16/2008 7:00:14 PM PDT by smokingfrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: airborne

Congratulations! :-))


2 posted on 08/16/2008 7:04:41 PM PDT by PistolPaknMama (Al-Queda can recruit on college campuses but the US military can't! --FReeper airborne)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

waitin’ for that green light...


3 posted on 08/16/2008 7:06:55 PM PDT by freepersup (find the enemy... destroy the enemy... remain vigilant)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

My son is at Airborne school now at Fort Benning. Go Army! He makes his first jump next week.


4 posted on 08/16/2008 7:09:14 PM PDT by Wage Slave (Good fences make good neighbors. -- Robert Frost)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Wage Slave
Wish him the best of luck from all us freepers!

C-130 rollin down the strip, airborne daddy gonna take a little trip...
5 posted on 08/16/2008 7:17:32 PM PDT by smokingfrog (He that lives upon hope will die fasting. - Ben Franklin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog
My dad (RIP) was career Army in the 82nd and 11th Airborne and was SO PROUD of being Airborne. He was Airborne All The Way!

Among his and my mom's keepsakes, I found his jump book and he had over 85 jumps. He was a good and brave man. Better than me. I get afraid on top of a short ladder.

He always said he'd rather jump from a C119 than have to land in the damn thing.

I still have his uniforms, including the pinks and greens, his Bronze Star and other ribbons, commendations and medals. Can't get rid of them.

Geronimo!

6 posted on 08/16/2008 7:28:36 PM PDT by garyhope (It's world war IV, right here, right now courtesy of Islam. VRWC. TWP.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PistolPaknMama

Thanks!

I will always be proud and honored to be a member of the Airborne Brotherhood!


7 posted on 08/16/2008 7:44:05 PM PDT by airborne (American by birth! Christian by choice!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Wage Slave
You must be very proud!

Airborne All The Way!!!

8 posted on 08/16/2008 7:50:40 PM PDT by airborne (American by birth! Christian by choice!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Wage Slave
Congratulations, Wage Slave!! And thank you! Your son is in excellent hands; the first jump is one each trooper never forgets.

Has your son told you about "cardiac hill"? If he ever hears a story from the Big guys about a 5-ft paratrooper who crashed on cardiac hill in the last 10th of a mile; but with sheer determination crawled to finish against 6fters; turned right did the whole run again, and finished - he's talking about my daughter. My son-in-law has just left Fort Benning (2nd time) for different training; and apparently, my daughter's story is still being told to newbies; now 7 years later.

9 posted on 08/16/2008 8:46:18 PM PDT by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: garyhope

Worst jump I ever had was from a C119! I remember the crew had coffee cans on the ground underneath the engines to catch all the dripping oil.


10 posted on 08/16/2008 8:49:43 PM PDT by smokingfrog (He that lives upon hope will die fasting. - Ben Franklin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

lol! Thank you for serving!


11 posted on 08/16/2008 11:33:45 PM PDT by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Wage Slave
Send him this after he completes his first jump.


12 posted on 08/17/2008 4:07:47 PM PDT by smokingfrog (He that lives upon hope will die fasting. - Ben Franklin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson