Currahee Memorial Dedication Ceremony
November 12, 2009
Fort Campbell, KY

The formal dedication of the monument and the memorial plaza took place
in a moving ceremony held on November 12, 2009 - the day after Veteran's
Day - in the 4BCT, 506th Infantry Regimental area of Fort Campbell, KY.

Memorial Dedication Ceremony Program

photos from Octavio Laguna (C Co, 2nd BN, 506th, 1964-1966)
and from Gene Overton (C Co, 1st BN, 506th, 1967-1968)
Laying of the 4BCT Wreath

(L-R ): CSM(R) Robert Nichols (A Co, 1st BN, 506th, 1975-1979; Honorary 506th CSM);
CSM Timothy Coop (506th CSM); COL Sean M. Jenkins (506th Commander);
and COL(R) Bob Seitz [HHC/B/C/E Co (Recon) 2nd BN, 506th, 1970-1971; Honorary
506th COL] lay the 4th BCT, 506th Infantry Regiment wreath at the monument.

The central granite cenotaph is on a broad plaza,
flanked by six parachute-shaped monuments.

STANDS ALONE

WARRIOR ETHOS
I WILL ALWAYS PLACE
THE MISSION FIRST
I WILL NEVER ACCEPT DEFEAT
I WILL NEVER QUIT
I WILL NEVER LEAVE A
FALLEN COMRADE

BUT
STANDS
TOGETHER

Back of the central cenotaph, which is topped with a spade,
a symbol of the 506th Infantry Regiment since WWII.

THE 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT
WAS ESTABLISHED 20 JULY 1942
AT CAMP TOCCOA, GA

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
NORMANDY - 1944

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
BASTOGNE - 1944

VALOROUS UNIT AWARD
DEFENSE OF SAIGON - 1968

MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION
VIETNAM - 1968

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
DONG AP BIA MOUNTAINS
(HAMBURGER HILL) - 1969

MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
2005 - 2006

The ceremony included a string ensemble and bagpiper.

506th Association President Don Thies (B Co, 2nd BN, 506th, 1970-1971) and
Active-Duty/Veteran Liaison Fred May (A Co, 1st BN, 506th, 1970-1971) laid
a wreath and plaque from the Associationat the monument. The 506th
Association thanks Fred May for creating the plaques and Marcia and
John Lally (A Co, 1st BN, 506th, 1970- 1971) for providing the wreath.

Fundraising has subsequently been completed to cover the cost of engraving names
of the Currahee KIAs on the backs of the World War II and Vietnam monuments.

Back of the Iraq-Afghanistan Monument

Octavio Laguna (C Co, 2nd BN, 506th, 1964-1966) with Donnise Roberts, widow of
SSG Kevin Casey Roberts (D Co, 2nd BN, 506th, KIA 05/07/08) and her daughter.

In order to match the backs of the WWII and Vietnam monuments, the back
of this monument will be modified, by inserting a black granite stone with the
names of the Currahees KIA in Iraq (2004-2005; 2005-2006) and Afghanistan
(2008-2009; 2010-2011).

(L-R): Don Thies (B Co, 2nd BN, 506th, 1970-1971); "Majesty" sculptor Eugene Morelli;
memorial plaza contractor Glenn Goodwin; Fred May (A Co, 1st BN, 506th, 1970-1971)

506th Association President Don Thies and Active-Duty/Veteran Liaison Fred
May presented Association plaques of appreciation to sculptor Eugene Morelli
and Nashville contractor Glenn Goodwin for their major in-kind contributions
to the monument and memorial plaza. Fred May designed the two plaques.

506th Association Currahee Challenge Award plaque presented to Eugene Morelli,
one of America's foremost wildlife sculptors, who contributed a dramatic "Majesty"
sculpture of a large soaring American eagle to grace the entrance to the memorial.

From Eugene Morelli: The beautiful plaque you gave me was hung in my office the
day I got back. And will always remain there. Thanks again.

506th Association Currahee Challenge Award plaque presented
to Nashville contractor Glenn Goodwin and Roy T. Goodwin
Contractors, who contributed the materials and labor for both the
monument foundations and also for the expansive memorial plaza .

Hundreds of people were present for the ceremony.

Artist-signed prints of an original oil painting were available
for purchase to help raise funds for the Currahee Memorial.

Additional copies of this print may be purchased from:
Currahee S-5 Store
7073 Stands Alone Avenue, Room 110
Fort Campbell, KY 42223

Currahee memorial dedication
(additional photos - not maintained by the 506th Association)

These pages are maintained the
506th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association (Airmobile - Air Assault)
This page updated 04/06/13

Currahee Memorial Dedication Ceremony November 12, 2009 Fort Campbell, KY

Currahee Memorial Dedication Ceremony
November 12, 2009
Fort Campbell, KY