![]() The Hall of Fame induction ceremony was part of the division’s “All American Days,” which was held this week in place of All American Week.Īll American Week, which honors veteran and current paratroopers, was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the deployment to Afghanistan of the division's Immediate Response Force in August.Īlso attending the induction ceremony was Maurice Renaud, who was 2 years old when paratroopers liberated his Sainte Mere Eglise community, where his father was mayor. They stood next to me in the tough times, the rough times and we had good times together.” I had peers that were more than just friends to me, brothers and sisters. “I had subordinates that worked for me that did everything I asked them to do. “I had thousands, if not millions of young guys and girls who helped me to get to where I am,” he said. Though he said the soldiers trained hard, were prepared and equipped, he said he prays for the Gold Star families of the division daily.Īfter retiring in 2013, Capel joined a nonprofit group that works to build homes with veterans, prevent suicide and provide service dogs to veterans.Ĭapel said his induction into the Hall of Fame and his 36-year Army career weren't accomplished by himself. I feel it today, and I feel it every day.” “They planted bombs on the side of the road, and the toughest times I had was sending my guys and girls back home. “We started taking our guys and girls into an awful unfamiliar territory to fight an enemy that sometimes didn’t have a face,” Capel said after the Nov. Army Europe.ĭuring his career, he deployed six times, including an 18-month deployment with ISAF, and spent more than five years overseas during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Forces-Afghanistan and command sergeant major for U.S. Other assignments he’s had have included as the senior enlisted leader for the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Capel, who served as the division's command sergeant major from May 2006 to July 2010.Įnlisting in the Army in 1977 at 18, his first assignment was with the division. The spirit and the morale that lives in a place like this is very special.”Īlso named to the Hall of Fame was retired Command Sgt. “It’s filled with great people who do amazing things every day, whether it be in combat, in peacetime or just training out here. Rodriguez said he’s honored to be selected for the Hall of Fame. They went into a chaotic situation right outside of Baghdad,” he said. “Then we set a lot long quickly after that. He said his daughter, who is also a paratrooper, was part of one of the first brigades that deployed to the region. Rodriguez was commander of the division during the 2007 enemy surge in Afghanistan. David Rodriguez was commander of the division from April 2006 to August 2008 and is the division's longest-serving commander who served in combat, with a total of 15 months.Įarlier in his career, he commanded the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and deployed with the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. These members lived up to that document.” “This division is paratroopers, and there is no rank of a paratrooper,” Donahue said. “Everyone must do the right thing. ![]() More: 'Stay hungry': 82nd Airborne Division recognizes top enlisted paratroopers of the year Christopher Donahue, the division's current commander, said the division has a document called “who we are,” which he said inductees live up to, as paratroopers “take care of each other in combat and in garrison.” More: 'We never, ever stop remembering': 82nd Airborne adds 8 paratrooper names to Fort Bragg memorial walls 19 ceremony outside of the division’s Hall of Heroes at Fort Bragg. ![]() This year’s class includes eight individuals who served as officers and noncommissioned officers with the division from World War I to the most recent Global War on Terror. ![]() More: Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division inducts 12 more veterans into Hall of Fame Twenty-one paratroopers were inducted in the inaugural class in 2018, 16 were inducted in 2019 and 12 were inducted in 2020. The Hall of Fame honors veteran paratroopers based on their service within the division, their lifelong commitment to the division’s values, valorous combat action, and contributions to their chosen field outside of the division. View Gallery: PHOTOS: 82nd Airborne Division memorial ceremonyįORT BRAGG - The 82nd Airborne Division named eight honorees who were inducted into its fourth Hall of Fame Class this month. ![]()
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