"Geronimooo!!!"

A presidential mandate in 2002 honored all airborne warriors by decreeing August 16th to be National Airborne Day.

I've "adopted" quite a few men (nuts), that choose to "jump out of perfectly good airplanes" for a living. I am in awe of what these guys do, how specialized their training is, and I never tire of their tales (and mishaps!), of adventure.
Some of 'em read here too, so please tell 'em "thanks" for their service.

I've long been fascinated with the rich history of E ("Easy") Co, 2/506 PIR, 101st, Airborne Division ("Screamin' Eagles"). You can read all 'bout them here.

While "surfing" around this morning, I found this tribute:

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Contributing Editor
NavySEALs.com


"When I attended jump school more than 25 years ago, there was a saying among non-paratroopers that ground week separated the men from the boys. Tower week separated the fools from the men. And during the third and final week, the fools jumped.

Of course, it was all light-hearted jabbing and a bit of sincere professional jealousy.

We knew then – as every soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine knows today – there is something special about a combat-trained parachutist or paratrooper, something uncommon that sets him apart from the ordinary foot-soldier.

It’s not simply the fact that a paratrooper jumps out of a perfectly good airplane – though not everyone has the physical courage to do that – but he does so ready to fight, knowing full-well that he will probably be outnumbered by the enemy on the ground; certainly surrounded; and that his survival depends on his ability to catch the enemy by surprise; kill him, perhaps in close quarters; and continue to fight with limited food, equipment, and ammunition until he is reinforced by heavier ground units.

In fact, the initial perception of most anyone seeing a uniformed soldier or sailor wearing a badge, medal, or patch with a “parachute” might be that that soldier or sailor is “specially trained.” The second thought might be “he probably knows how to fight.” (Read the rest here. It's worth a few minutes.)

Happy National Airborne Day to all you "jumpers"!

GERONIMOOO!!!