FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) dedicated a stone in honor of the Group on the U.S. Army Special Operations Memorial Plaza, July 3, memorializing the unit’s proud legacy of valor and selfless service to the nation.
Soldiers and family members from USASOC and the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) attended the dedication along with key leaders who served with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) both past and present.
Narrating for the ceremony was Maj. Mark Rea, who read through the history of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) which was originally activated on Dec. 5, 1963, but traces its origins back to World War II when the Canadian First Special Service Force participated in military campaigns in Italy, Southern France and the Rhineland. The Group was deactivated in 1969 and reactivated at Fort Bragg on July 1, 1990.
“Soldiers of 3rd Group have participated in every major military campaign since Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Since September 2001, more often than not, over half the Group has been on continuous combat rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan, concurrent with supporting multiple Combatant Command Theater Security Cooperation Programs,” said Col. Mark Schwartz, 3rd SFG (A) Commander.
Following the unveiling of the Memorial Stone, the 3rd SFG (A) Command Team placed a wreath at the head of the stone. The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Ballad of the Green Berets.
“This stone more than any other, should also serve as constant recognition of the 3rd Group’s significant achievements over its short history, within the context of the other great formations represented throughout this Memorial Plaza,” Schwartz said.