News

ON THIS DATE IN AIRBORNE HISTORY...08 May 1945

Victory in Europe Day (AKA V-E Day, VE Day)

On 08 May 1945, the Allies in Europe accepted an unconditional surrender by Nazi Germany. At this time, much of the 82nd Airborne was busy securing the area around Cologne, and would then move into Berlin following the surrender for occupation duty.

Click here to learn more about V-E Day. 

The Airborne community recently lost two former 82nd Airborne Division Commanders: 

GEN(R) Frederick J. Kroesen, 97. Passed away on 30 Apr 2020. Commanded the 82nd Airborne Division from 17 Jul 1972 to 07 Oct 1974. Click here to read more about GEN Kroesen. 

GEN(R) John W. Foss, 87. Passed away 25 Apr 2020. Commanded the 82nd Airborne Division from 10 Jan 1987 to 10 Oct 1986. Click here to read more about GEN Foss. 

Airborne, All The Way! 

Our chapter newsletter for May 2020 is now available online. The history topic for this edition is the now infamous topic, COVID-19. Click here to download your copy! 

Many thanks to Vice Chairman Glenn Granat for his ongoing support in producing our monthly newsletter -- AATW! 

Happy Birthday wishes to our Chicago Chapter members celebrating in May.
Airborne, All The Way!

• Lawrence Slavicek, 2-May, 69
• James McGinley, 3-May, 74
• Edwin Sly, 4-May, 85
• Kenneth Negley, 5-May, 50
• Rene Hernandez, 11-May, 59
• Mark Mueller, 12-May, 51
• Antanas Surna, 17-May, 35

The Spring 2020 edition of The Paraglide, official magazine of the 82nd Airborne Division Assn, is now available online. Click here to visit the Assn website and check it out.

AATW!

Have to share this story about the COVID-19-friendly 105th birthday bash held recently for Sam Sachs, a WWII 325th GIR veteran who glided in to Normandy. Click here to read the story. 

Brings to mind a couple of "century club" Chicago Chapter members who we lost a few years back in Bernard Hensen (H/326th GIR) who lived to 104 and John Overling (H/325th GIR) who lived to 103.

Airborne, All The Way!

Not surprisingly but highly unfortunately, National has announced that the 2020 Convention that was to be held this August in Houston, TX, has been cancelled due to implications of the pandemic. Below is the formal announcement. 

AATW!

Mark Mueller
Chairman

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CANCELLATION OF 2020 CONVENTION IN HOUSTON, TX

Fellow Members,

Last night the Board of Directors made one of the toughest decisions since I have been Executive Director and voted to cancel the 2020 Convention. It was not a decision that was made easily or lightly. We looked at many aspects for and against, but as was the case with the All American Week cancellation, it came down to what is best for the health and well-being of the Members of the Association.

Also of concern was the projected low attendance of the convention, as shown by the low number of registration and our concern that it may cause a large financial loss to the host Chapter if there was a small attendance number. By looking at the registration numbers currently being extremely low, as compared to past Conventions, we saw attendance as being very low. We believe this to be because of concerns for traveling, meeting in large numbers in small areas, and possibly financial hardships caused by the losses of jobs or slowing of businesses caused by the pandemic.

Anyone who has registered, and there have only been 25 registrations, probably due to the ongoing pandemic, will be contacted in the next few days concerning your refund. The Houston, TX Chapter will still be the host for the 2021 Convention, and all functions that were to be held this year will be moved to 2021. We do understand that many of our Members are as saddened by this cancellation as we are, but I am sure that you can understand our concerns and reasoning for the cancellation.

We will keep you informed of any additional changes within the Association and look forward to when we can again resume normal operation. Thank you for all you do for the Association and we ask that you please stay safe, follow all posted requirements of your local authorities, and stay healthy. Airborne, All The Way!

PLEASE SHARE!!

NC State University has developed an innovative new material for face masks and has engaged with the neighboring 82nd Airborne Division to leverage it's Rigger capability to produce 100,000 new masks for the Army.

Click here to read the article. 

AATW!

Well that was pretty cool! Yesterday we held our April chapter meeting online via Google Hangouts. Overall, it was a success.

We stuck to a relatively normal agenda, enhanced some high-speed video, and enjoyed the company of some local and some remote members: Lawrence Slavicek, Brian O'Sullivan, Thomas J. Carter, Barney Janecki, Stephen J Corcoran, Jake Goldstein, Jerry O'Meara, and Colin Gray.

We'll likely need to host our May meeting online also, so hope that even more members will join us. And we'd like to host an online meeting at least a few times each year going forward so we can keep in contact with our remote members.

What did you guys think about this format?

Airborne, All The Way!

Mark, Chairman

Our chapter's April 2020 newsletter is now available online. Click here to download a copy. Many thanks to Vice Chairman Glenn Granat for producing the newsletter once again - AATW!