RES 254 ATS112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 254
Designating August 16,
2011, as ‘National Airborne Day’.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 2, 2011
Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. WHITEHOUSE,
Mr. CORKER, Mr. CRAPO, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts,
Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. AKAKA, Mr.
RUBIO, Mrs. HAGAN, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mrs. HUTCHISON, Mr.
CASEY, Mr. BURR, and Mr. COCHRAN) submitted the following resolution;
which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Designating August 16, 2011, as ‘National Airborne
Day’.
Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed Forces have a
long and honorable history as bold and fierce warriors who, for the
national security of the United States and the defense of freedom and
peace, project the ground combat power of the United States by air
transport to the far reaches of the battle area and to the far corners
of the world;
Whereas the United States’ experiment with airborne
operations began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test Platoon
was first authorized by the Department of War, and 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 a 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 validated the airborne operational concept and led to the
creation of a formidable force of airborne formations, such as the 11th,
13th, 17th, 82nd, and 101st Airborne Divisions;
Whereas included in these divisions, and among other
separate formations, were many airborne combat, combat support, and
combat service support units that served with distinction and achieved
repeated success in armed hostilities that provide the lineage and
legacy of many airborne units throughout our Armed Forces;
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 airborne forces, which include members of the XVIII
Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division,
the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade Combat Team
(Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and
special operations forces of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air
Force, together with other units of the Armed Forces, have demonstrated
bravery and honor in combat, stability, and training operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq;
Whereas the modern-day airborne force also includes
other elite forces composed of airborne trained and qualified special
operations warriors, including Army Special Forces, Marine Corps
Reconnaissance units, Navy SEALs, and Air Force combat control and para-rescue
teams;
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,
or other decorations and awards for displays of 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 such members 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 forces, past and present,
celebrate August 16 as the anniversary of the first official jump by the
Army Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 is an appropriate day to
recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the
Senate--
(1) designates August 16, 2011, 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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