NcDeuce
06-15-2004, 12:26 PM
Soldiers make division run for the first time since 9/11
Nearly 16,000 Screaming Eagle soldiers ran past the wide-eyed and intense-looking "America," bringing somewhat of a spirited kinship between the troops and the 19-year-old American bald eagle.
America's handlers, Mike Acuff and Frank Hernandez from the American Eagle Foundation, say they wouldn't have missed the 101st Airborne's first division run since 9/11. Bringing America, they said, was a way to honor the soldiers who supported Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"We just wanted to have him here as more of a symbol and to (appreciate) what they've done in Iraq," Acuff said. Although the foundation's goal is to preserve American bald and golden eagles, the nonprofit organization has supported the division's own Screaming Eagles by giving away 101 eagle license plates last week.
The loud blast from the Salute Cannon in front of division headquarters, followed by the 101st Band playing the "Rocky" theme song, set off the run with post and division commander Maj. Gen. Thomas R Turner II leading the way.
The 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment was the unit selected to run behind the command group.
The run was the official start of this week's biennial celebration, "Week of the Eagles," which will include various competitions, activities, a concert and an air show.
"It's a great way to kick off the Week of the Eagles," Turner said. "It's important that we do these things to take the time to learn about our lineage and (history). It's been an incredible last three years for the division, and we'll get through all of (these activities) and then we'll have the division (transformation) to move through."
Turner is referring to the Army's modifications of brigades to make them more modular and flexible to fight today's conflicts. The 101st has already begun the change by giving up one of its aviation battalions to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga. The 101st also will get about 2,000 more soldiers within a few months.
For Maddie Hodges, 13, watching the troops run gave her some inspiration as she waved and smiled while they passed her on the side of the road.
"It was fun and I was here last time," said Maddie, who is also a runner. "I just like watching everybody run. It reminds me of track."
Although the 4-mile, 36-minute trek around post was a "cohesion run," the units were still given a score for different categories.
For best individual battalion, the winner was 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
The Commander's Cup went to 1st Brigade, first place; 2nd Brigade, second place; and 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery, third place.
The honor unit for the next division run will be 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040615/localnews/645468-289195.jpg
Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Turner, 101st Airborne Division commanding general, supports soldiers as they pass by during a division run at Fort Campbell Monday. The event starts the Week of the Eagles and was the first division run since May 18, 2001.
Nearly 16,000 Screaming Eagle soldiers ran past the wide-eyed and intense-looking "America," bringing somewhat of a spirited kinship between the troops and the 19-year-old American bald eagle.
America's handlers, Mike Acuff and Frank Hernandez from the American Eagle Foundation, say they wouldn't have missed the 101st Airborne's first division run since 9/11. Bringing America, they said, was a way to honor the soldiers who supported Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"We just wanted to have him here as more of a symbol and to (appreciate) what they've done in Iraq," Acuff said. Although the foundation's goal is to preserve American bald and golden eagles, the nonprofit organization has supported the division's own Screaming Eagles by giving away 101 eagle license plates last week.
The loud blast from the Salute Cannon in front of division headquarters, followed by the 101st Band playing the "Rocky" theme song, set off the run with post and division commander Maj. Gen. Thomas R Turner II leading the way.
The 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment was the unit selected to run behind the command group.
The run was the official start of this week's biennial celebration, "Week of the Eagles," which will include various competitions, activities, a concert and an air show.
"It's a great way to kick off the Week of the Eagles," Turner said. "It's important that we do these things to take the time to learn about our lineage and (history). It's been an incredible last three years for the division, and we'll get through all of (these activities) and then we'll have the division (transformation) to move through."
Turner is referring to the Army's modifications of brigades to make them more modular and flexible to fight today's conflicts. The 101st has already begun the change by giving up one of its aviation battalions to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga. The 101st also will get about 2,000 more soldiers within a few months.
For Maddie Hodges, 13, watching the troops run gave her some inspiration as she waved and smiled while they passed her on the side of the road.
"It was fun and I was here last time," said Maddie, who is also a runner. "I just like watching everybody run. It reminds me of track."
Although the 4-mile, 36-minute trek around post was a "cohesion run," the units were still given a score for different categories.
For best individual battalion, the winner was 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
The Commander's Cup went to 1st Brigade, first place; 2nd Brigade, second place; and 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery, third place.
The honor unit for the next division run will be 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040615/localnews/645468-289195.jpg
Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Turner, 101st Airborne Division commanding general, supports soldiers as they pass by during a division run at Fort Campbell Monday. The event starts the Week of the Eagles and was the first division run since May 18, 2001.