History

In 1998 Senator Strom Thurmond, who served in the 82^nd Airborne Division during WWII, sponsored a Bill proclaiming August 16^th as “National Airborne Day.”  This day was selected to commemorate the 1^st jump of the Parachute Test Platoon in 1940.

In Arizona, a coalition was formed by representatives of various Airborne Chapters, veterans, and interested parties, to put together a celebration for “National Airborne Day.”  This coalition was known as the National Airborne Day Planning Committee.  Holding weekly meetings and without funding, this undertaking was financed through individual donations from the members of the Planning Committee and also through substantial contributions from Airborne Chapters within the state. The Planning Committee was comprised of the following people:

Co-Chairman, Eldon Meade, 173^rd Airborne Brigade

Co-Chairman, Lionel Sanchez, 82^nd Airborne Division

Secretary, Jim Dougherty, 82^nd Airborne Division

Treasurer, Felipe Garcia, 82^nd Airborne Division

Publicity, Ray Chambers, Special Forces

Master of Ceremonies, Donald Parks, 187^th Airborne RCT

             John Gonzales, 11^th Airborne Division

             Joseph Schwan, 82^nd Airborne Division

             Clarence Williams, 82^nd Airborne Division

             LTC John Nye, 82^nd Airborne Division

             Fran MacDonald, 82^nd Airborne Division

             Inez Hernandez, 82^nd Airborne Division

             Gordon Yates, 101^st Airborne Division

             Michael Loudakis, 173^rd Airborne Brigade

             Jim Bockman, 187^th Airborne RCT

             Juan Caratachea, 187^th Airborne RCT

             Alicia Caratachea-Rios, 187^th Airborne RCT

             Keith Hendricks, Special Forces

             Lorraine Kulp, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 432

             Ron Eagle D’Andre, Bravo Arizona

Proclamations were issued by the Governor of Arizona, and the Mayors of over 20 cities.  The banquet was an overwhelming success with over 250 in attendance.

In 1999, the Planning Committee became known as the Arizona Airborne Association and was chartered by the American Airborne Association as a chapter affiliate, thereby making all those on the Planning Committee, Charter Members of the Association. 

The first installed officers of the newly formed Arizona Airborne Association were:

 President, LTC John Nye

Vice President, Brian Christensen

Secretary, Jim Dougherty

Treasurer, Felipe Garcia    

The banquet became an annual celebration under the title of Arizona Airborne Day.

In 2002, the Association established a ROTC Scholarship Program awarding money to Airborne qualified ROTC cadets from Arizona Universities at the annual banquet.

In 2005, the Banquet date was changed from August to October because of the intense summer heat and the conflict our event had with National Airborne Conventions.