Saturday, January 17, 2009

Red Devils to represent active military at inauguration



From the Fayetteville Observer:


Battalion to march in inauguration


By Henry Cuningham
Military editor

The magnitude of what you are doing, the command sergeant major told the young paratroopers, will probably sink in when you make the last left turn before the reviewing stand.

On Tuesday, about 90 Fort Bragg paratroopers will represent the active-duty Army in Barack Obama’s inauguration as president of the United States.

Many of the soldiers of the 1st Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division are Iraq veterans. Others are teenagers who have not yet deployed.

On Thursday, they rehearsed on Devil Field on Ardennes Street on Fort Bragg under chilly blue skies for their march in the inaugural parade. Most will travel to Washington, D.C., on Sunday.

They will march about a mile and a half in formation — nine soldiers across, nine deep. The Army Field Band, West Point cadets, guardsmen and reservists also will be in the parade from the Army.

One of the marchers will be Pfc. Lacy Browning, 19, of Lumberton. He is a 2007 graduate of Lumberton High School and the son of Cynthia Browning of Lumberton.

“I believe it’s a great honor,” Browning said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever had a black president. I believe it’s a great honor to see the way the nation is changing as well as the world.”

2 comments:

ABNPOPPA said...

I am certain they will lead the parade as the 82nd doesn't take second place to anyone but GOD!!

Airborne all the way Sir!

Pops

Airborne dad said...

Pops,

I'm not sure where they are in the parade, but I read somewhere that they are leading the military forces.

I am reminded of a beer stein that I have at the house that says this: God invented beer to keep the 82nd Airborne from taking over the world.

:)

"Let's go"