82nd Airborne National Convention

The Making History Project attended the 77th Annual National Convention for the 82nd Airborne in Washington DC. This event took place this past August. Many State Chapters attended the convention, and the local DC Chapter was a wonderful host.

The Convention started off with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. A wreath from the 82nd Airbrone was placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Also included in the program were visits to the Capitol Building, the US Army National Museum, and various Memorials.

Given the emphasis of the Making History Project, I made it a point to see the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Wall. I also made a stop at the U.S. Library of Congress to visit with members of the Veterans History Project where copies of our oral history interviews will be archived.

There were many social events and time to meet and make new friends during the various dinners and cocktail events. During the ending banquet, we had the honor to see the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus perform, which was inspiring as they recently made the finals for America’s Got Talent. Overall, the National Convention was a great success as I obtained an additional five oral history interviews while there.

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About Patrick Russell

Director and oral historian for the Making History Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Veteran stories for future generations. Resides in Miami, Florida, where he is a full-time mediator and has been a practicing lawyer since 1994. Proudly serves as a staff member for the University of Florida Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, in addition to being a member of the Oral History Association, American Historical Association; Friends and Family of the 508 P.I.R.; and the Battle of the Bulge Association. Graduated from Marquette University with a B.A. in Political Science, and a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. Additional courses and workshops for oral history and museum studies have been taken at Baylor University and Harvard University, Harvard Extension School. Contact info: (305) 608-2977 or patrick@making-history-project.com

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