Photo By Sgt. Taryn Hagerman | Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andre Stewart (back), 82nd Airborne Division staff, and...... read more read more
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By Spc. Taryn Hagerman, 40th Public Affairs Detachment
FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Every year, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, celebrate All American Week, acknowledging both the capabilities and accomplishments of the Division. The week is filled with runs and sporting competitions, the Division Review and a memorial ceremony, which all require months of detailed planning.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andre Stewart, 82nd Airborne Division staff, has been serving as the officer in charge of All American Week planning and operations since February. Keeping with this tradition is essential to upholding the history of the Division, he said.
“To me, it’s important to make sure we preserve the historical events of All American Week for the retired Paratroopers so they can see the legacy continue,” Stewart said. “This year, we’re bringing back a lot of the traditional pieces that have been missing the last couple of years like the Golden Knights.”
All American Week began like every other Monday in the Division, with a four-mile run. However, this Monday, over 15,000 Paratroopers completed the 4-mile Division run together.
“The Division run is different because it’s just the beginning of All American Week, and you get to feel and witness the esprit de corps of the Division,” said Stewart. “These Soldiers also get to see their Division commander and Division command sergeant major out there, and at the end of the run, to have them give those Soldiers high fives because they are proud of them; it makes a Soldier want to continue to run. That high five means a lot.”
Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Godwin, with Alpha Co., HHBn, 82nd Airborne Division, works as the Division sports coordinator for All American Week and was in charge of coordinating with other brigade planning noncommissioned officers, who were each in charge of planning one event. Godwin then oversaw the execution of 11 events including an Army combatives tournament, team assault course competition and a 10-mile run.
“There’s a lot of behind the scenes that people don’t see, just to make this all happen,” Godwin said. “With a Division event, there’s so many people involved and so many moving pieces, and that’s the reason that precise planning needs to happen.”
Godwin said his planning included coordination with the brigades to ensure the events would run smoothly. Everyone involved in planning had to coordinate with medical and water points for outdoor activities, reserving venues and gymnasiums needed for the games, gathering equipment, working with military police to arrange security and road closures, and coordinating with the post gates to extend hours at certain access points.
All of the planning ensured Paratroopers from the entire Division could safely participate in these events, incorporating some friendly competition among brothers-in-arms.
After the completion and scoring of all 11 sporting events, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment was named All American Week’s Best Battalion.
Competition is only a small part of All American Week. Once the games are finished, the Paratroopers move onto hours of rehearsing for the Division Review, perfecting every detail to reflect the pride they take in being part of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Stewart, Godwin and Sgt. Maj. Frank Luedtke, with Division Joint Fires Cell, and the Non Commissioned Officer in Charge of All American Week planning and operations, attended the Division Review rehearsal to oversee the event and ensure that any issues were quickly addressed. Each of them emphasized that none of them are working as a one-man operation, but rather utilizing a team of competent and experienced Soldiers to help organize the events.
“It takes a lot of people to put in long hours, and we need lots of Soldiers to help execute it,” said Luedtke. “It’s a lot of hard work and sweat by the Soldiers of the Division that makes this week successful. And they’ve done a great job so far.”
Stewart said the hard work has definitely paid off, resulting in a well-executed All American Week. He said providing a polished, quality All American Week is important to many people, both in and out of the division.
“As important as it is, it’s not about the planning,” said Stewart. “To me, it’s about the division and the Gold Star family members, and also the Veterans and Soldiers. It’s about the history of the 82nd Airborne Division.”
Veterans and Family members feel a unique connection to the Division, which can be challenging to define. Stewart said while all Soldiers can say they have completed basic warrior tasks like firing rifles, only Paratroopers can say they have jumped out of an aircraft.
Luedtke agrees that some of the bond comes from a shared sense of pride.
“Being a Paratrooper is a lifestyle—it’s not a job,” said Luedtke. “You live it, breathe it, and you learn to do more with less when you jump out of a plane with nothing but your rucksack. You have to learn to adapt to situations and adjust your lifestyle based on what your mission is, and they can take a lot of pride in that.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2014 23:00 |
| Story ID: | 130880 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 1,470 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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