82nd Airborne Division Reunion and Convention

From the South County Times Online
2008-13-08
82nd Airborne Memorial Event

08/13/2008 - The 82nd Airborne Division reunion and convention will be held at the Millennium Hotel St. Louis through Aug. 16. The festivities began at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the 82nd Airborne Memorial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

An aerial display of paratroopers took place at the Jefferson Barracks Park's Army Reserve area, the site of the very first Airborne parachute jump which occurred in 1912.

In addition to the paratroopers, the event featured rides, other attractions and concessions. Archbishop of New Orleans Phillip Hannan, a veteran of the World War II 82nd Airborne Division, and St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley were scheduled to be on hand to commemorate the historic event.

At 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 14, 250 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division will fly in directly from Fort Bragg, N.C., to Illinois' MidAmerica Airport for the special reunion and convention.