Fort Bragg hosts All American Week for the first time in two years

The Post normally celebrates All American Week every year in May, the week leading up to the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

All American Week started with the Division's 4-mile run with 19,000 paratroopers pounding and chanting their way along Longstreet Road. It took the paratroopers about 36 minutes to finish the run, so they averaged about 9 minutes a mile.

"It's great to be out here today," said Major General Christopher Laneve, 82nd Airborne Division Commander. "The whole community out to support us ... What a great way to start the week."

All American Week is designed to highlight the legacy of the Fort Bragg unit known as America's Guard of Honor. But COVID-19 pandemic and unexpected emergency deployments around the world put the division's celebration on the back burner. When the president calls, paratroopers at Fort Bragg answer the phone.

"We are the nation's immediate response force," said Ltc. Brett Lea, spokesperson for the 82nd Airborne Division. "We are the people who answer the call when the president calls, and we are able to deploy anywhere in the world in 18 hours. To deploy, fight and win."

The 82nd Airborne Division is open to everyone. You cans see its diversity within the ranks.

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Lt. Hailey Buck is a paratrooper. She decided to become a member of the 82nd Airborne Division for some special reasons.

"I would say that just the opportunity to be able to learn how to lead, as well as be with a group of extremely motivated people that are that are driven towards the same goals physically and mentally," she said.

Another woman, Sgt. Jessica Franz is new to the division. While this is her first All American Week, there was no doubt she wanted the 82nd patch on her shoulder.

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"My friends that were in the army always talked about the 82nd and it's the first call to go out the door for everything the U.S. Army is on the ground doing," she said.

All American Week takes place over the next four days and ends on Thursday with the Division Pass and Reviewat 10 a.m. on Pike Field on Post.

WRAL Fayetteville Reporter Gilbert Baez says if you've been out here, come back. The command encourages you to bring someone out to the Post who hasn't been here.