Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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National Airborne Day: Celebrating Heroes by ERINN CRIDER For many, the idea of leaping from an aircraft is absurd, in fact leaping from a mechanically sound aircraft seems downright crazy. None the less, 72 years ago some brave souls took the plunge at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA., and changed warfare and recreation drastically. Being the home of the 82nd Airborne Division, Fayetteville has been effected by airborn operations, so it comes as no surprise that history is celebrated here. This holiday honoring airborne troops was established in 2002 by President George W. Bush, and recognized by the Senate in 2009. It is however, the 72nd anniversary of the fi rst parachute jumps taken in Fort. Benning, GA. that is being celebrated — as well as the Airborne and Special Operations Museum's 10th anniversary. Paul Galloway the executive director of the museum explained, "It's in honor of all the paratroopers and special- operations soldiers that have come before us. It came about because of the 40 soldiers who fi rst jumped out of the airplane for the army, and it's important not to forget those guys." Airborne operations were integral in the Allied victories in World War II, and there is a tremendous sense of pride amongst all airborne soldiers. To honor these soldiers, and those who have fallen in these operations, there will be a ceremonial wreath laid at the feet of the iconic Iron Mike statue, now located at the museum. That is not the only memorial to paratroopers as the ASOM has a memorial to the original 40 jumpers. "We have a monument on site, outside of the museum, that has all of their names on it," Galloway said. The day's festivities include a free-fall parachute demonstration for the public Airborne Operations were integral in the Allied victories in WWII, (like D-day) and there is a tremendous sense of pride amongst all airborne soldiers. to enjoy, executed by the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Black Daggers of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and the 82nd Airborne Division's All American Freefall Team. This demonstration will give spectators a taste of the excitement and joy felt by those who opened the doors to these possibilities by taking the very fi rst plunge from an aircraft. Fort Bragg will also provide soldiers to set up both modern and World War II equipment for visitors to explore and learn about how much technology has changed over the years. Further highlighting the changes the Army has experienced, re-enactors will be the current soldiers wearing uniforms from World War II. Galloway acknowledges the Army's role in this celebrations by saying, "It's an Army event, not a (Airborne Special Operations Museum) foundation event, and they always lay a wreath in honor of all the Army paratroopers and special-operations soldiers who have died from today, to the past." The event will take place on Aug. 18 Special Operations Museum located at 100 Bragg Blvd.. For more information visit the museum's website www.asomf.org or call 910-643-2766. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Airborne and ERINN CRIDER, Contributing Writer, COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. Unity in the Community: Umoja Festival 2012 by TALICIA SMITH How can people walk together unless they agree? They can't. Have you ever done a three-legged race? One of your legs is tied to another person, and in order to get to the fi nish line you must work as a team. During the race, there is no time to discuss strategy or to go through a long discussion about a teammate's weaknesses or strengths. You just get together and work with what you have to successfully complete the race. It's not about the individual, but about the group, it's about Umoja! Umoja is a Swahili word that means unity. The focus is on building communities that stand together with mutual respect and cooperation. On Aug. 18, the Umoja Festival will be held at Seabrook Park at 1520 Slater Ave. in Fayetteville. The Umoja Festival is an African-American cultural, family and community festival. The event is from noon until 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. The festival is sponsored by the Umoja Group, Inc. of Fayetteville, a nonprofi t organization whose mission initiates and supports African, African-American and Caribbean history, art and culture. opportunity to converse with these "treasures of heritage." They are walking books of culture and heritage. This festival has been held annually since the inception of the Umoja group. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the Umoja Festival. The Umoja group has hosted other events in the past 20 years as well as Kwanza, the Malcolm X Forum, and it's fi rst women's conference, which was held i February of this year. The event is truly festive and includes: storytellers, cultural displays, music, ethnic food, a fi sh fry and vendors. The Fayetteville State University and E.E. Smith bands will be present along with the Delta Steppers. Radio station107.7 Jamz, 3rd World Soundz, Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks & Recreation, the African-American Education & Research Organization, as well as represenatatives of Cape Fear Valley Health will also be participating in the festival. According to the project director, Isabella Effon, you don't want to miss the good food. "If you are on a diet that day, take a day off and enjoy the food." Although the crowds will be delighted with the food Effon notes that the festival is really about bringing families together. "The festival is more family oriented; the elders of the African-American community come out in great numbers. They look forward to it," says Effon. Many of the elderly come out to talk about their history. Some of them have been interviewed by the Umoja groups' director Dorothy Fielder. During the festival you will have an WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM offering free health screenings. The health screenings are sponsored by Cape Fear Valley Health and the African Physicians Association of Fayetteville. These spectacular screenings are the highlight of the festival. The screenings provide many on-site services, such as glucose and blood pressure screenings, rapid HIV testing, one-on-one doctor consultations, EKGs, BMI ( body mass index ) screenings and the opportunity to sign up for a mammogram. So while you are there, be sure to go by and get a free health screening, just do some dancing before the screenings and eat after your BMI check. The group also holds international exhibits. In the coming year they will hold a music exhibit from the West Africa Department of Performing and Fine Arts, so mark the calendar and plan to attend. And while celebrating Umoja, take some time to look at the Fayetteville State University mural on Seabrook Drive. This mural is painted and cared for by the Umoja group, partners in both the community and education. As a partner in the community the group is It's a family affair. It's about coming together. It's about linking up. It's about sharing and moving forward as a unit, as a community; mutual respect, mutual effort, mutual support and lots of fun. In case of rain, the Umoja festival will be held on Aug. 25 instead. For more information, call 910-483-6152. Vendors please call 910-488-7130. TALICIA SMITH, Contributing Writer, COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. AUGUST 8-14, 2012 UCW 9