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Old 08-16-2002, 01:27 PM
ABNCIB ABNCIB is offline
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Default Happy National Airborne Day

For my brother paratroopers on this board, from the Prez;

National Airborne Day, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation



The history of Airborne forces began after World War I, when Brigadier General William Mitchell first conceived the idea of parachuting troops into combat. Eventually, under the leadership of Major William Lee at Fort Benning, Georgia, members of the Parachute Test Platoon pioneered methods of combat jumping in 1940. In November 1942, members of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, conducted America's first combat jump, leaping from a C-47 aircraft behind enemy lines in North Africa. This strategy revolutionized combat and established Airborne forces as a key component of our military.

During World War II, Airborne tactics were critical to the success of important missions, including the D-Day invasion at Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, the invasion of Southern France, and many others. In Korea and Vietnam, Airborne soldiers played a critical combat role, as well as in later conflicts and peacekeeping operations, including Panama, Grenada, Desert Storm, Haiti, Somalia, and the Balkans. Most recently, Airborne forces were vital to liberating the people of Afghanistan from the repressive and violent Taliban regime; and these soldiers con-tinue to serve proudly around the world in the global coalition against terrorism.

The elite Airborne ranks include prestigious groups such as the 82nd Airborne Division, "America's Guard of Honor," and the "Screaming Eagles" of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Airborne forces have also been represented in the former 11th, 13th, and 17th Airborne Divisions and numerous other Airborne, glider and air assault units and regiments. Paratroopers in the Army's XVIII Airborne Corps, the 75th Infantry (Ranger) Regiment and other Special Forces units conduct swift and effective operations in defense of peace and freedom.

Airborne combat continues to be driven by the bravery and daring spirit of sky soldiers. Often called into action with little notice, these forces have earned an enduring reputation for dedication, excellence, and honor. As we face the challenges of a new era, I encourage all people to recognize the contributions of these courageous soldiers to our Nation and the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 16, 2002, as National Airborne Day. As we commemorate the first official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940, I encourage all Americans to join me in honoring the thousands of soldiers, past and present, who have served in an Airborne capacity. I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

GEORGE W. BUSH
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  #2  
Old 08-16-2002, 02:07 PM
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Keith_Hixson Keith_Hixson is offline
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Thumbs up You mean that we must honor!

Guys that jump out of perfectly good airplanes?


The airborne units have always been at the front when securing peace. Thank You Airborne.


Keith
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Old 08-16-2002, 02:49 PM
ABNCIB ABNCIB is offline
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Default

Well, Keith you know that when your base pay is $258, that $55 tax-free looks pretty good.

A little more history; the reason August 16th is National Airborne Day is because the test platoon at Fort Benning made their first jump on August 16th, 1940.

My brothers have written a lot of History in just 62 years and I'm proud to be a small part of it.
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Old 08-16-2002, 09:53 PM
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Keith_Hixson Keith_Hixson is offline
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Default Hey! I was an E-5 and my base pay

When I got out in 69 my base pay was $220 a month and I was a E-5. You guys were really hauling in the dough.

But . . . . . . you deserved every penny. Most of us earned every penny we got.

Keith
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Old 08-17-2002, 06:18 AM
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colmurph colmurph is offline
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Default When I first got on jump status

My base pay was $78 a month. That extra $55.00 was a "Princely" sum. FYI everybody gets $110.00 now. EM and O's are the same.
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Old 08-19-2002, 10:55 AM
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Default It would be nice if this President

Would authorize a Postage Stamp to honor the Airborne. When we had the 50th Anneversary they came out with some Disney Stamps honoring "Mickey Mouse" et al. But they wouldn't issue a stamp for the 50th. What do we have to wait for......the 100th?
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