ALL-AMERICAN CHORUS
The All-American Chorus is a nonprofit musical group composed
of Division Troopers representing every unit within the Division. An informal
organization, the All-American Chorus was formed in November 1967 to sing at
Sunday services in the Division Chapel. At that time the chorus consisted of
about 15 members.
Members of the chorus underwent RECONDO training in March
1970, to prepare for their role as the Division’s Long Range Reconnaissance
Platoon (LRRP). They recorded their first record entitled "The All-American
Chorus," which contained several songs and ballads about the Airborne and the
Army.
In February 1971, the chorus was selected by the Division
Commander to jump, as a unit, with the MC1-1 steerable parachute, so that
assembly time on the ground could be reduced.
During a period of increased emphasis on the All Volunteer
Army, the chorus performed at several professional and college baseball and
football games as part of the pre-game of halftime ceremonies. Since it was
formed, the chorus has performed for several military and civilian dignitaries
including General of the Army Omar Bradley, the Governors of more than 20
states, senators and congressmen, members of the Association of the United
States Army, and the senior command structure of the Army.
During 1984 the chorus made several appearances including a
trip to the island of Grenada for their Independence Day Celebration; the Armed
Forces Ball in Buffalo, N.Y.; the 187th Regimental Combat Team Reunion in
Detroit, Mich.; the Static Line Convention in Georgia; and the 82nd Airborne
Division Convention in Knoxville, TN.
In 1985 the All-American Chorus produced a video for the 82nd
Airborne Division to be used by various U. S. Army Recruiting Battalions
throughout the country as a tool to interest young people in joining the Army.
In September of that same year the chorus performed on the Jerry Lewis Muscular
Dystrophy Telethon.
The chorus participated in Operation Neptune in 1989. The
operation was a recreation of the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy
France. Like the original invasion, elements of the 82nd Airborne Division were
transported to the United Kingdom. There, along with the chorus, they prepared
for the jump into France. On the morning of June 6, 45 years and a few hours
after the historic invasion, 2,500 paratroopers and the All-American Chorus
dropped into a field near Ste. Mere Eglise France.
After returning from Operation Neptune, the chorus produced
their first professional recording since 1970. Also in 1989, the chorus was
invited to sing in Washington, D.C. with country music star Lee Greenwood.
The chorus was then off to Saudi Arabia in late 1990 through
spring, 1991 with the 82nd Airborne Division during its deployment to Southwest
Asia to participate in Operations Desert Shield and Storm. Following their
return from the Persian Gulf, the chorus produced a professional video in June
1991. Entitled "Operation Thank You," the video was played on The Nashville
Network (TNN) as well as the Cable News Network (CNN).
To this day the All-American Chorus performs for various
occasions, special events, as well as for many dignitaries. Recent additions to
this list include: performing at the Coca-Cola 600; the Army Ball with Rich
Little; at an Atlanta Braves and a California Angels baseball game; and in a
tribute to Bob Hope in 1991.
During 1992 the chorus added to this list with performance's
such as the Army Ball with Debbie Reynolds, opening for the Boston Pops, and in
December conducting an airborne operation from a C-47 aircraft in celebration of
50 years jumping from this airplane.
In 1994, the All-American Chorus returned to Normandy and
Holland to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Operations Neptune and
Market-Garden. They also released their latest recording "We Were There" that
same year. Today the 82nd Airborne Division’s "All-American" Chorus performs
throughout the continental United States. Though their primary mission remains
serving the soldiers of the U.S. Army and Fort Bragg, their off-post
performances continue to increase, so much in fact that they have become one of
the Army’s greatest recruiting tools. Appearing in their maroon berets, ascots,
and highly spit-shined jump boots, the troopers of the "All-American" Chorus are
truly ambassadors for the 82nd Airborne Division.
06/11/2007
