American paratroopers, past and present, descended into Arlington National Cemetery on National Airborne Day, Aug.16, 2024, to honor those who pioneered the airborne concept and others who jumped into battle. Two separate groups came to lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: the 82nd Airborne Division Association and the Round Canopy Parachuting Team-USA.
Ninety-six-year-old World War II veteran Harry Miller led the wreath layers for the 82nd Airborne Division Association. Although never a paratrooper himself, Miller served with the 740th Tank Battalion, which supported the 82nd in the Battle of the Bulge and the Allied drive into Germany. “As far as we were concerned, the 82nd Airborne was the best division around,” he said. Miller choked up as he remembered his World War II comrades. “Every time I come here,” he added, “I think of the poor guys that didn’t make it.”
Others with connections to the 82nd accompanied Miller to lay the wreath: David Smith, a retired colonel; Patrick Crouse, a retired command sergeant major; and Jennifer Farver, whose father helped found the association’s Reuben Tucker chapter. While laying the wreath, Smith said he thought about the sacrifices required to serve in an airborne division. Crouse recalled memories of his grandfather, who served with the 82nd Division (before it became airborne) during World War I. Farver stated that she thought of all the unknown soldiers buried at Arlington and in American cemeteries overseas. All became teary-eyed as they reflected on those who never came home.
After the wreath laying, Steven Daugherty, a retired sergeant and chairman of the association’s Washington, D.C. chapter, led the group to Section 48, where he and Miller unveiled a wreath next to the 82nd Airborne Division Memorial.
“Today, we recognize the dedication and courage of our airborne forces and the critical role they played for in the defense of the United States of America and our freedoms,” Daugherty told the crowd. He then explained the origins of National Airborne Day. “On Aug. 16, 1940, 48 volunteers of the U.S. Army parachute test platoon made their first jump, thus adding a new and innovative method of conducting combat operations which contributed to the Allied victory in World War II.” He then spoke about the sacrifices of American paratroopers around the world, concluding: “Airborne all the way!”
Later that morning, the Round Canopy Parachuting Team-USA members laid their own wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Each of the four men wore World War II-era paratrooper uniforms with baseball caps. The team performs commemorative airborne jumps worldwide to educate the public about American paratroopers from World War II and beyond.
Vietnam veteran Jack Wingate led the four wreath layers: Keith Kettell, a veteran of campaigns in Grenada, Panama and the Persian Gulf War; Eric Lewis, a retired lieutenant colonel; and Art Schaffer, the team’s lead parachute rigger.
Wingate spoke about joining the Army at age 17, adding that he “jumped until I was 80 years old.” While looking straight ahead at the Tomb, Kettel said, “my 25-year career flashed in front of my eyes.” Schaffer reflected on his family’s service, noting that his grandfather served in World War I and his father was a POW in World War II.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Farver spoke volumes. Without saying a word, she opened a locket she wore around her neck. Inside was a medal of St. Michael, the patron saint of paratroopers. It had belonged to her father.