Senate Passes Hagel Resolution to
Designate August 16, 2006 "National Airborne Day"
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Resolution 405 introduced by
U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) designating August 16, 2006 as "National
Airborne Day" passed the Senate on Friday by unanimous consent. August 16,
2006 will be the 66th Anniversary of the first official jump by the Army
Parachute Test Platoon. The resolution was co-sponsored by twenty-one
Senators.
“Over the last 66 years, U.S. airborne forces have performed important
military and peace-keeping operations throughout the world, including
Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. August 16th is a day to celebrate
and thank Airborne veterans and Airborne units for their tireless
commitment to our Nation's defense and for the ideals of duty, honor and
country they embody,” Hagel said.
On June 25, 1940, the War Department authorized the Parachute Test Platoon
to experiment with the potential use of airborne troops. The Parachute
Test Platoon, which was composed of 48 volunteers, performed the first
official Army parachute jump on August 16th. The success of the Platoon
led to the formation of a large and successful airborne contingent that
has served from World War II until the present.
Last year, Hagel introduced Senate Resolution 86 to designate August 16,
2005 as “National Airborne Day,” which passed the Senate by unanimous
consent. Members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association recognized
Hagel last year in appreciation for his efforts to designate the date as
“National Airborne Day.” |