S. RES. 599
Designating August 16,
2010, as ‘National Airborne Day’.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 28, 2010
Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. REED, Mr. REID, Mrs.
HAGAN, Mr. BURR, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. VOINOVICH, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. CRAPO, Ms.
SNOWE, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts,
Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. THUNE, Mr. AKAKA, Mr. BURRIS, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr.
ROBERTS, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. BOND, Mr. BENNETT, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr.
CHAMBLISS, Mr. INOUYE, and Mr. CORKER) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Designating August 16, 2010, as ‘National Airborne
Day’.
Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed Forces have a
long and honorable history as units of bold and fierce warriors who, for
the national security of the United States and the defense of freedom
and peace, project the effective ground combat power of the United
States by Air Force air transport to the far reaches of the battle area
and, indeed, to the far corners of the world;
Whereas the United States experiment with airborne
infantry attack began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test
Platoon was first authorized by the Department of War and was launched
when 48 volunteers began training in July 1940;
Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first
official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940, to test the innovative
concept of inserting United States ground combat forces behind a battle
line by means of parachute;
Whereas the success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon
in the days immediately before the entry of the United States into World
War II led to the formation of a formidable force of airborne units that
have served with distinction and have had repeated success in armed
hostilities;
Whereas among those first airborne units are the
former 11th, 13th, and 17th Airborne Divisions, the current 82nd and
101st Airborne Divisions, and the later airborne regiments and
battalions (some as components of those divisions and some as separate
units) that achieved distinction as the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 173rd
Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 187th Infantry (Airborne) Regiment,
which is the only airborne unit to have served as a Glider, Parachute,
and Air Assault Regiment, the 501st, 502nd, 503rd, 504th, 505th, 506th,
507th, 508th, 509th, 511th, 513th, 517th, 541st, and 542nd Parachute
Infantry Regiments, the 88th, 127th, 193rd, 194th, 325th, 326th, 327th,
and 401st Glider Infantry Regiments, the 509th, 550th, 551st, and 555th
Parachute Infantry Battalions, and the 550th Airborne Infantry
Battalion;
Whereas the achievements of the airborne forces during
World War II prompted the evolution of those forces into a diversified
force of parachute and air assault units that, over the years, have
fought in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and
Somalia and have engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the
Sinai Peninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo;
Whereas since the terrorist attacks on September 11,
2001, United States paratroopers, which include members of the XVIII
Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division
(Air Assault), the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade
(Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and
special forces units, together with other units of the Armed Forces,
have demonstrated bravery and honor in combat operations, civil affairs
missions, and training operations in Afghanistan and Iraq;
Whereas the modern day airborne force also includes
other elite forces composed entirely of airborne trained and qualified
special operations warriors, including Army Special Forces, Marine Corps
Reconnaissance units, Navy SEALs, Air Force combat control teams,
pararescue, and weather teams, all of which are part of the United
States Special Operations Command;
Whereas of the members and former members of the
United States airborne forces, thousands have achieved the distinction
of making combat jumps, dozens have earned the Medal of Honor, and
hundreds have earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star
Medal, or other decorations and awards for displays heroism, gallantry,
intrepidity, and valor;
Whereas the members and former members of the United
States airborne forces are all members of a proud and honorable
tradition that, together with their special skills and achievements,
distinguishes them as intrepid combat parachutists, air assault forces,
special operation forces, and, in former days, glider troops;
Whereas the history and achievements of the members
and former members of the United States airborne forces warrant special
expressions of the gratitude of the people of the United States; and
Whereas, since the airborne community celebrates
August 16 as the anniversary of the first official jump by the Army
Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 would be an appropriate day to
recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the
Senate--
(1) designates August 16, 2010, as ‘National
Airborne Day’; and
(2) calls on the people of the United States
to observe National Airborne Day with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.
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