In September of 2013, Rick Dalton attended a reunion at Ft. Benning, GA, Rick toured the National Infantry museum and attended a Monument Ceremony on The Walk of Honor at The National Infantry Museum. A friend observed to Rick that the 82nd Airborne Division was not represented with a Monument on the Walk of Honor.

In April of 2014, Rick spoke about this subject at a reunion of The Golden Brigade Chapter. The Chapter ultimately decided not to sponsor the effort, but many of Ricks fellow Vietnam Veterans encouraged Rick to push forward.

Rick became a delegate for the 82nd Airborne Division Association at the 2015 National Convention. Rick was able to bring the Monument Drive to the attention of the National Delegates. Again, the project was not adopted, but many Delegates encouraged Rick to carry on.

Rick consulted friends from the NCOC reunion, who had placed a monument on the Walk of Honor as to how to proceed. He was directed to make a contact at the National Infantry Museum. Rick was able to make a contact and spend time with the Executive Director learning the Policies and Procedures involved and also toured the available plots and chose the best site to support a Monument to the 82nd Airborne Division. It was also decided to Honor the 82 Division from WWI.

Rick began to attend every Reunion , Convention, and even Chapter meetings that he could. If Rick could get any one to listen,he used his 5 minute pitch to get the message out. Rick began to be known by many people within the Association. One of Ricks prouder moments was placing a wreath from The 82nd Airborne Association at the Vietnam Wall on Veterans day 2016.

Ed Herlihy, who was elected to lead the Association for the 2017 year, instructed Rick to form a committee. The Association would not be able to help financially, but would help put the word out and help smooth the way.

The committee was Rick Dalton, Chairman, Mike Oesch, Vice Chairman and Allen Schoppe, Treasurer.  A decision was made that in the event that too much money was gathered, any leftover funds would be donated to the Association.

In September of 2017, funds were conveyed to the National Infantry Museum to secure Plot E-5 and a contract was signed regarding the placement of the Monument. Also in 2017, work began on the website which you are viewing today and  professionals were hired to design and facilitate the construction of the Monument.

A preliminary design is expected literally any day now...