Photo By Sgt. Justin Stafford | U.S. Army Paratroopers, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, hold up a floral...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - U.S. Army Paratroopers, both past and present, and their Families gathered outside of the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to remember fallen Paratroopers of the Division, May 22, 2019.
The 82nd Abn. Div. Memorial is a ceremony held annually as part of All American Week to honor the memory of Paratroopers who died in combat or training.
Maj. Gen. James Mingus, the commanding general of the Division, said All American Week is a week of celebration, remembering, friendly competition and a time to bring old and new together.
This year’s theme is “jumping into history” to recognize the significance of the 75th anniversary of D-Day and Operation Market Garden.
“Today, we are here to honor, celebrate and pay tribute to 16,157 Paratroopers that paid that ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom our nation and the world,” said Mingus.
“If those 16,157 Paratroopers were standing here today, their message would be clear: ‘Treat every jump as if it were your last jump, enjoy every day, live life to the fullest and, most importantly, ensure my sacrifice was worth it.’”
Mingus believes that remembrance and honor are the “connective tissue” for past, present and future Paratroopers.
“Never forget why Paratroopers serve, the vision and the idea that this country is all about and why it’s worth paying the ultimate sacrifice,” he added.
The highlight of the ceremony came as Paratroopers from multiple generations placed three floral wreaths in front of the Division's memorial monuments.
The stone memorials outside of the museum are engraved with the names of Paratroopers from World War I to the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns who died in combat, as well as those lost their lives training.
Added to the memorial this year are the names of two Paratroopers: Spc. Gomer Wallace, 319th Field Artillery, killed in 1976, and Spc. Joshua W. Colburn, 505th Infantry Regiment, who died in 2005.
Paratroopers, distinguished guests and Gold Star families honored the Division’s fallen with a moment of silence and reflection. The All American Chorus performed the songs “If Not Me,” and “Amazing Grace.” Gold Star Family members then placed yellow roses at the base of the Global War on Terror memorial in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Part of our contract is to remember those that didn’t return home. Look at the 227 names on the monument. We remember them, but they were more than just names and numbers,” said Robert Dvorchack, an author and historian, at the memorial.
“You have everyone from the lowest rank of private to a lieutenant colonel, ages 18 to 43, from infantry, artillery, engineers, clerks and cooks; that’s what the 82nd Airborne is.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2019 16:33 |
| Story ID: | 323552 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 424 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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