THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 9, 1994 TAG: 9408090395
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Up to 400 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are planning to drop in on Hampton Roads about 9 a.m. Thursday.
The demonstration at Fentress airfield in Chesapeake kicks off the 48th national convention of the 82nd Airborne association.
Paratroopers stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., will leave for Hampton Roads from adjoining Pope Air Force Base shortly after 8 a.m. in five C-130 Hercules transport planes.
Army Major Gen. William M. ``Mike'' Steele, the division's commanding general, will lead his troopers in the mock airborne assault.
The drop is open to the public. Fentress field is off Route 165, Mount Pleasant Road, about seven miles east of Great Bridge. It also can be reached from Route 165, North Landing Road, and is about 5 miles west of the Princess Anne Courthouse.
Hans Rosenstock, co-chairman of the convention, suggested visitors arrive early and bring folding lawn chairs because bleacher seating is limited. Refreshments will be on sale before and after the drop.
About 1,500 people are planning to attend this year's convention, which draws current and former parachutists from all branches of the services, including Navy SEALS. The convention is Thursday through Sunday at the Howard Johnson Hotel-Waterside and Quality Inn Lake Wright.
The convention will honor members of the 82nd who parachuted into Normandy during the D-Day invasion 50 years ago. The convention also will honor 23 members of the division who were killed by flaming debris from a jet crash in March at Pope Air Force Base.
The history of the 82nd dates back to World War I, when member Sgt. Alvin York earned the Congressional Medal of Honor and inspired a movie starring Gary Cooper. The division distinguished itself during World War II during airborne assaults in Sicily, Normandy and Holland.
Since World War II, the division's troopers have fought in Vietnam, Grenada, Panama and in the Persian Gulf war. Should American forces be committed in Haiti, 82nd Division soldiers probably would be involved. ILLUSTRATION: Staff map
Fentress Field:
Site of parachuting
For copy of map, see microfilm
by CNB