82nd Association Convention brings together past and present Paratroopers

By Pfc. Kissta FeldnerAugust 24, 2009

82nd Association Convention brings together past and present Paratroopers
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 82nd Airborne Division Chorus sang during a formal dinner at the 63rd Annual 82nd Airborne Division Association Convention at the Marriott Indianapolis East hotel on August 22. The convention was a way of bringing together past and present Paratr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
82nd Association Convention brings together past and present Paratroopers
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Wounded Warriors pose together after a formal banquet at the 63rd Annual 82nd Airborne Division Association Convention on August 22 at the Marriott Indianapolis East hotel. The Paratroopers were recognized at a dinner during the convention and receiv... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
82nd Association Convention brings together past and present Paratroopers
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pvt. Patrick Jones, 1st Squadron, 73 Cavalry Regiment, stands with his father, Alan, at Mt. Comfort Airfield in Indianapolis on August 20. Troopers were flown to the airfield by C-130s to kick off the 63rd Annual 82nd Airborne Division Convention.
(U... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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82nd Association Convention brings together past and present Paratroopers
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers past and present share experiences of their time in the 82nd Airborne Division during the 63rd National 82nd Airborne Division Association Convention held this year in Indianapolis, Ind. Aug. 19-22.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Pr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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82nd Association Convention brings together past and present Paratroopers
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Viet Nam veteran, Darrell Ormes, is pinned with a Silver Star medal by Col. Johnny Johnston at the 63rd Annual 82nd Airborne Division Association Convention on August 22. The convention, held in Indianapolis, brings together past and present Paratroo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Two Paratroopers sat at a patio table covered with empty plastic cups, drinking, laughing and sharing war stories about their time with the 82nd Airborne Division.

One was a young man in his twenties, his muscular forearms bearing numerous tattoos; the other was an older gentleman sporting a distinguished gray mustache and a World War II Veteran baseball hat.

Paratroopers of different eras came together to bond over their similar experiences during the 63rd 82nd Airborne Division Association National Convention held in Indianapolis, Ind. from August 19-22.

The convention is held every year in a different city. Its purpose is to bring together veterans and current active duty soldiers of the 82nd.

Steven Frazer, the association president, raises money and visits with Wounded Warriors from the division.

"We try to make sure they're comfortable, that they're not forgotten and that they're welcomed back," Frazer said.

This year, the association raised money so 42 wounded Paratroopers would be able to attend the convention at no cost. Their plane tickets, hotel rooms and other necessities were paid for by donations from the association's many chapters.

The troopers were welcomed to Indianapolis with a dinner where all were given a lifetime memberships to the 82nd Association.

"It's a great reunion," Frazer said.

The Convention officially kicked off on the 20th when three C-130 Hercules aircrafts landed at Mt. Comfort Airfield in Indianapolis carrying about 150 Paratroopers.

The 82nd Chorus and Color Guard performed at various events throughout the week.

On August 20, the Chorus sang the National Anthem at a minor league baseball game in Indianapolis while the Color Guard presented the colors.

Immediately after, the Chorus was given a police escort to rush down the street to Lucas Oil Stadium. They again sang the National Anthem, this time during the pre-game show for the Indianapolis Colts football game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The following day, the chorus went to the Riley Hospital for Children and the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital to visit with and perform for the sick children admitted there.

Young Cole Branigan, 5, was delighted when several chorus members visited his room and performed an impromptu version of "Rockin' Robin."

Also that afternoon, the Marriott Indianapolis East, where the convention was being held, dedicated a newly erected fountain in the courtyard of the hotel to the military.

Brent Myrick, the general manager of the hotel, said several American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars groups hold conventions at the hotel, so he felt it was appropriate for the hotel staff to show their support.

"We wanted to have an opportunity to dedicate this fountain and say thank you," Myrick said.

That evening, the association thanked those who lost their lives while serving the 82nd by holding a memorial dinner to honor fallen troopers.

On August 22, a formal banquet was held to wrap up this year's convention.

At the banquet, Viet Nam veteran Darrell Ormes received a Silver Star for his bravery during his time with the 82nd. The entire room stood at attention as Ormes was presented with the award, for which he had waited more than 40 years to receive.

Being a Paratrooper is a special accomplishment to many soldiers in the division, both past and present, and events like these remind soldiers of why they're proud to be in the 82nd, many veterans said.

"There hasn't been a day I've been here that I haven't thought about my time in the 82nd", said Greg Fulbright, who was in the division from 1983-1985.

"I get to meet and talk to seven decades of troopers," Fulbright said.

"I wouldn't trade the experience for anything."