It's what happens when you got to wave that red white and blue. The gulf war parade is similar. This is literally just people walking in sync, something you'd see on a sidewalk and no one will notice, but when it's like this, the air seems to heat with pride and joy
It is quite literally the symbol of democracy, freedom of movement and not being forced in an artificial and gruelling march just to impress your leaders.
And I agree with you sir. My parents are in heaven now and I continue to marvel how they and others of "our Greatest Generation" managed to save all of us from the worst war in history.
This was a better victory parade than the one the GI's did in Paris after liberating France. The troops marched in glorious formation like in this video, except in Paris, they kept marching straight out the other end of city towards Germany. Their combat gear was waiting for them, and they were in a battle with the Wehrmacht that same night.
Thanks for presenting this video. My uncle was one of those seen marching in that parade as a proud veteran of WWII and the 82nd Airborne. I am a baby boomer myself, born later year that same year in NYC, after my Dad returned from overseas duty in WWII. It sure was interesting to see how NYC looked at the time of my birth. Thank you again.
Major General James Gavon, 38 year old West pointer and youngest commander of the US army stands by with his men in the rendezvous area waiting for his division's last 'H-R' of World War Two. This is the jump off. This is operation Homecoming, the last offical mission of the All-American 82nd airborne division. Their objective, a four and a half mile parade route through New York City. The largest big-time military parade since Pershing AEF down 5th Avenue in 1919. Reinforced with other airborne infantry units, the thirteen-thousand flak, glider and paratroops swing to the proud cadence of the foot soldier. Their first salute, thrown to their comrades who stand on the curb. Whose red blood and purple hearts fall to a parade they cannot march in. Chosen as a typical; fighting unit, the 82nd's divisional colours carry ten battle streamers from this war. With 467 days of combat time, the 82nd was decorated for the Sicily campaign, for the fighting around Rome and Naples and for jumping down the Chimney of Hitler's fortress Europe to spearhead the Normandy invasion. For the [Inaudible] dropped on the Rhine and for helping to break the back of the Wehrmacht in the battle of the bulge. These are thirteen thousand but stand for ten million and will march for many more who will never march again. Heavy weapons are in the line of march and the Sherman tanks roll in by the man whom they were named. An air cover of fighters and transports, towing gliders makes up an accompanying sky train as the Division pays their respects to the review stand where General Gavin now takes their farewell salute. Four million people have lined the side walks to see G.I Joe on parade. To see Victory marching down the street to become history!
Thank you for making this available. Along with Mr. Guzman's uncle, these soldiers were part of the 82nd Honor Guard. My Dad was one of the flag carriers at the front of the column. He was with the 325th Glider... and from Queens, NY.
My grandfather in the 82nd, who jumped in Italy and Normandy, never spoke much about the war... even to my father; even when asked about it. But he showed me a number of Nazi knifes he "took," and he showed me his Thompson machine gun, at a young age, and just said that that weapon was, "freedom." An odd memory, to say the least.
i served in the 82nd Airborne Division in 1953 where I was naturalized at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. I survived the Holocaust and in 1956 pioneered the presidential televised debates. I was awarded a tribute in Congress.
General James Gavin is the father of the 82nd Airborne Division continues to work hard in protecting our soldiers everywhere. One of my uncles was in this outfit in the mid 1950s. Later on, a cousin of mine was a member as well. How I wish that some of our young people today would decide to become more responsible and continue to grow stronger in order to help themselves and their communities also. It does not take being a member of any military organization but just helping out in your own community will be something that will allow you and yours to flourish in a positive way.
I like the simplicity of the march and the iconic uniforms. Greetings from Greece 🇬🇷 🇺🇸🫡 We spilled blood on the same continent to fight a common Evil.
Dad was among the heroes, as I understand, as he returned to New York at end of war. ! Donald Theodore Moore, Sergeant, Tec 4, Radio Operator; -See Dads Happiness Part 1-5, 6) at Chris Phally on RU-vid; He fought in 3 campaigns: Battle of Bulge; Liberation of Paris and Operation Plunder. He used to say: "I miss America..." even years ago. He knew what he and all the brave ones fought for in those years. See Psalm 91 Praise and Prayer song also please.
My father was 3rd Infantry Division, a fantastic unit itself. Dad LOVED the 82nd Airborne. He told me, “when the 82nd was on your flank, you never worried that the Germans would break through their sector!” The units that fought early in the war, had a special bond!
When I hear vets of other wars complain that, "WE didn't get a homecoming parade," sometimes I'll remind them that hardly any GIs from WW2 did either. THIS was the only real WW2 victory parade in the US, several months after the war was over. In other words, if you weren't still in the 82nd at the start of 1946, you didn't a homecoming parade, either. Most vets of other wars (especially those from Vietnam) don't seem to be aware of this
Also keep in mind WW2 was the liberation of Europe and the freedom of the world, Nam was over the fight for democracy in another country. A little different if you ask me.
more than two-thirds of the original 82nd troops who entered combat in 1943 didn't live through the war. A great many of these troopers in this video were only in combat after Normandy. I salute them all. My father was in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland . He was in the Signal Corps, which might explain how he survived the war.
Everytime I see this video makes me cry, my uncle was in the army and my father was in the navy, my father only one time ever told something about the war - he told me when he was in a submarine they got hit and just there's was no light all dark and after 4 hours they find made it out - but he said all the time he was thinking how my grandma was going to take the News of him getting killed.
No. They would either have berets or the “bus driver” hat. But since we are reverting back to the ol’ Pinks and Greens, they would still not use any helmets.
Frankly I think that the US Airborne did it better than the Germans, I mean come on, how could it not be better when they're hitting a strut like that?
God Bless America...........from Australia. The 82nd was considered by Field Marshall Sie Bernard Law Montgomery as the finest Allied division in the European campaign after Normandy. Looking at these men, and listening to John Phillip Sousa, I can see why. Les Griffiths
I've never thought about this before I saw your comment and got interested so I did some digging. Apparently the term "World War II" was officially used from September 1945 after the war officially ended, at least in the US
Biden Cheated I'm a boomer born just after the war,, my father and his brothers served, did not complain , came home and built America ,, great men and the greatest generation.
@@talosworshipper2693 it's now evident that sometime in the future WW3 will come, you can't avoid it. And if you answer against this statement you just can't accept the truth.
I'm not like flag 🏳️🌈. "Why always bully people" who about STORY grandfather like war 2 over Nazi is defeat. "No understand people like flag 🏳️🌈 US OR USA" IM FROM NEW YORK AND I'M GIRL ARMY
A unit dedicated to the Dream of a cohesive one,men from all states dedicated to defend America and her freedoms, the world owns a real Thank you to such great men,we can only hope our future generations have the balls to stand against the evils of the modern world,thank you the Greatest Generation,you made us proud to be an American. 82nd All The Way,AIRBORNE,STRIKE HOLD.