82nd Airborne kicks off All American Week with Division Run

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Aubree Rundle | The thunderous boom of a 105mm howitzer signals the passing of each brigade's colors during the division four mlie run Monday.  

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

05.22.2006

Story by Sgt. James Wilt 

82nd Airborne Division

Spc. Jim Wilt
82nd Airborne Division
Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (22 May 2006) - Like a wave in the ocean, more than 12,000 paratroopers surged back and forth down Longstreet Road as the 82nd Airborne Division kicked-off this year's All-American Week festivities.

Led by Maj. Gen David Rodriguez, the division commander, Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, XVIII Airborne Corps commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas R. Capel, the division command sergeant major, the paratroopers of the division's six brigades started this year's All-American Week activities with the traditional four-mile run.

"This is a great start to All-American Week," Rodriguez said, in a speech to the division paratroopers and to the families, friends and past paratroopers in attendance at the run.

All-American Week is a celebration of the 82nd Abn. Div.'s history, heritage, and legacy, which brought together paratroopers from the past, present and the future.

"Past paratroopers and a bunch of future paratroopers are going to be out here watching what we do this week," Rodriguez said.

Competitive events such as boxing, soccer, and football were held and were open to spectators.

Veterans were invited to meals through out the week giving today's troopers and the troopers of yesteryear the opportunity to share stories and experiences with each other.

The Secretary of the Army Hon. Dr. Francis J. Harvey, was the keynote speaker at the Division Review where more than 12,000 troopers stood in formation.

Following the Review, the division's fallen troopers were honored during a memorial ceremony at the Division Museum.

"As we are getting ready to celebrate Memorial Day this week, we have to rememberâ?¦the division has sacrificed 52 troopers and over 500 wounded and in addition to them we have all of the veterans and many past paratroopers who helped give us the things we enjoy today and all our freedoms," Rodriguez added.

Throughout the week, 82nd Abn. Div. paratroopers celebrated their airborne heritage and will be showing the culmination of their training and dedication during a joint readiness training exercise 10:45 a.m. tomorrow at Sicily Drop Zone.

• Date Taken: 05.22.2006
• Date Posted: 05.22.2006 16:29
• Story ID: 6475
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US