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August 16th Recognizing National Airborne Day– The 82nd and the 101st Airborne Units are some of the First Units Formed during World War II
On August 16, 1940, 48 volunteer members of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon performed the first official U.S. military parachute jump at Fort Benning, Georgia.
I’m proud to have served in the 326th Combat Engineers attached to the 101st Airborne. The 101st and the 82nd Airborne Units have a distinguished track record since their formation during early days of World War II. Ever since I was 12 years old I wanted to be an Engineer and a part of the U.S. Army Combat Engineers. I was and still consider myself a part of both at age 65.
I join the U.S. ARMY my Junior Year in High School in 1977
There isn’t a better honor than being a part of something bigger than yourself and being able to make a difference in other people’s lives. We dropped into unknown territory and forged rivers and set up power supply and communications that are vital to any organization. We also removed obstacles and removed hazards for other units to achieve their mission.
After I was discharged, I continued in the field of Engineering working with Entergy Services as a Grid Engineer here in Mississippi Grid for 33-years. Providing vital power to communities that made people’s lives better and where they were able to make a living for their families without back breaking work before the power grid was established. If there’s one thing I’m most proud of is serving with the 101st.
As part of recognition with the 326th Combat Engineers I had one of my A-2 Leather Flight Jackets with the 101st Airborne Division Screaming Eagles Patch sewn over my left Pocket and my name tag, shown below.
I was talking with one of my fellow Airborne buddies discussing that if we could serve today, we would at a drop of a hat. That’s one reason that I still keep in shape at age 65. The only exception is that I exchanged my two wings for two wheels. Once you experience that adrenaline rush it is hard not to have an outlet for that adrenaline, even at age 65. The Indian Scout Bobber Motorcycle does that for me.
With Entergy, I used to fly aerial patrol for 33- years logging over 450- flight Hours a year. The image above with me with a Bell Jet Ranger was taken in May 2015, the last flight I took before retiring in June of 2015. Now I sell the A-2 and G-1 Leather Flight Jackets that we issue to the U.S. Military that are also available to the public. We also carry the TOP GUN two flight Jackets like the jackets Tom Cruise is wearing in the movie.
Our Quapaw Aviation Tactical Sportswear Collection
TOP GUN Maverick Collection
Tailor from TOP GUN Maverick: