173RD. Airborne Brigade.
Memorial Dedication.
Fort Benning, G.A. – 1st. June 2010
Article By Robert Harris.

After deciding not to participate in Rolling Thunders Rid I picked up and left Washington D.C. that same afternoon. As the bikes were rolling into D.C. the Veterans Tribute Bike was rolling out on its way to FT. Benning, G.A. for the 173rd. Airborne Brigade Memorial Dedication.

After our squad reunion on 31st. of May I woke early the next morning to arrive at the site of the Memorial early. I road the Tribute Bike out of the Candlewood Suites Lobby where it had the honor of being displayed the night before and had a motorcycle escort to the affair.

The Monument was fitting of the Sky Soldiers it memorialized. It ran a chill through my veins. The ceremony was also a fitting one for the occasion with so many Sky Soldiers in one place I wondered why there wasn’t a heavy M.P. presents. ( we were a wild bunch )
173rd. Airborne Memorial.
Robert Harris stands in front of the Memorial.
Photo by Brian King . Southern Thunder T.V..COM

It felt a bit strange to see so many Sky Soldiers in one place at one time and of all ages. From Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, We are a proud bunch and extremely proud of our unit and its achievements . We were and still are the military’s “ Rapid Reaction Force “.

As for the name “ Sky Soldier “ Chinese Nationalist Paratroopers nicknamed the unit “ Sky Soldiers” as a result of our numerous Parachute jumps around the Pacific Rim between 1963 and 1965. The Sky Soldiers were also nicknamed “The Herd” during its six years and four months deployment in Vietnam the Brigade served in all four South Vietnam Corps areas. The longest serving unit in continuous combat in the history of the U.S. Army – Sky Soldiers earned 14 Campaign Streamers and numerous Unit Citations. 13 were awarded the Medal Of Honor , 46 the Distinguished Service Cross and 1,736 the Silver Star. Numerous Sky Soldiers received the Bronze Star, and over 8,000 the Purple Heart. 1,641 Paratroopers lost their lives in Vietnam.

Robert Harris – “ Sky Soldier”
Vietnam 1965-66
www.Veterantributebike.org 

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