Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Maj. Jose L. Salas (right), waits to lay flowers at the Sgt. Alvin C. York...... read more read more
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By Pvt. Victor J. Ayala
49th Public Affairs Detachment
FORT BRAGG, N.C - A paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division was given a unique honor when asked to represent the division in commemorating one of its most prestigious heroes.
On Oct. 4, Sgt. Maj. Jose L. Salas, the division's intelligence sergeant major, was chosen by Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas R. Capel, the division sergeant major, to attend the 90th Anniversary Commemoration and Dedication Ceremony held in honor of Sgt. Alvin C. York, the 82nd's first Soldier to receive the Medal of Honor.
The ceremony was held in the French town of Chatel Chehery, the same town where York performed the deeds which made him the model American hero of his time.
His tale of heroism was told in the 1941 film, "Sergeant York". Also, many buildings and monuments around the country are dedicated to York, including York Theater on Fort Bragg.
The same stretch of the Argonne Forest where the ceremony was held was a war zone to York and his fellow Soldiers. Despite incredible odds, York and the small squad of men under his command made an unlikely offensive which resulted in the deaths of 28 enemy soldiers and the capture of 132.
Almost a century later, Salas said he was awed to find himself standing near the same trenches, trees and hills which were once the stage for such a harrowing battle. The trenches were overgrown with brush and much of the old trails were worn. But it was profound just the same.
"To see the trenches still there and to walk on the same ground that they walked was just phenomenal to me," Salas said.
As a representative of the 82nd, Salas spoke during a ceremony which included speeches by representatives of several other Army units, French dignitaries and York's surviving descendants. In the very spot where Salas stood, York and his fellow Soldiers faced heavy machine gun fire and suffered many casualties.
At being given this unique privilege, Salas said he was deeply honored.
"After parachuting with my daughter at Fort Benning, this was the biggest thrill for me in my 29-year career," he said.
Salas also said that the trip gave him a deeper desire to know the history of the Soldiers who came before him and plans to revisit Europe in the future.
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2008 14:06 |
| Story ID: | 26361 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 299 |
| Downloads: | 243 |
This work, Paratrooper walks hallowed ground of Sgt. York, by SGT Victor Ayala, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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