FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 20, 2014) -- Young and old alike turned out to
celebrate National Airborne day Aug. 16, at the Airborne & Special
Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.
The museum lawn was filled with military static displays depicting
equipment used on and off the battlefield. Soldiers showcased
traditional equipment, such as the Army's Artillery M777 Howitzer and
newer technology like the Avenger Air Defense System (AN-TWQ-1), and the
Light Military Tactical Vehicle. Vintage jeeps, actors depicting World
War II Soldiers, and various static displays showed the evolution of
the Airborne from the first official Army parachute jump, which took
place on Aug. 16, 1940, through a modern jump on the ASOM grounds during
the event.
The celebration opened up with ceremonial music by the 82nd Airborne
Division's "All American" band, an airborne demonstration with the U.S.
Army Special Operations Command parachute team, the Black Daggers, and
the U.S. Army's parachute demonstration team, the Golden Knights,
followed by a ceremony and dedication.
In a fitting tribute of the day, organizers dedicated the newest outer
loop corridor connecting Fort Bragg to the new I-295 corridor, naming it
the Airborne & Special Operations Highway.
Retired Brig. Gen. Tony Tata, now secretary of the North Carolina
Department of Transportation, offered opening remarks on the naming of
the highway.
"Their incredible commitment and selfless sacrifice will be remembered
forever in this road," said Tata, a former brigade commander with the
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, USASOC deputy commanding general, also offered remarks.
"Just as this highway connects from I-95 to the All American Freeway, it
also represents the connections made among our military and civilian
communities over the years," he said.
Other speakers included Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, and the 82nd Airborne Division Commander Maj. Gen. John Nicholson Jr.
Following the sign's unveiling, Soldiers representing both the Airborne
and Special Operations community, placed a wreath at the foot of Iron
Mike, the iconic 15-foot statue, an airborne Soldier -- who is always
watching, waiting and alert; a symbol of the thousands of airborne
Soldiers past and present -- on point and ready to defend American
liberties.
http://www.army.mil/article/132129/Paratroopers__Special_Forces_Soldiers__Fayetteville_community_celebrate_National_Airborne_Day/
By Cheryle Rivas, USASOC
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