President to visit Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg, N.C. — President George W. Bush will return to Fort Bragg next week to address troops during All American Week, the White House said Friday.

Bush will deliver a speech to members of the 82nd Airborne Division and tour the post next Thursday, officials said.

The visit marks Bush's fourth trip to Bragg during his administration. The last visit came on July 4, 2006.

Fort Bragg's All American celebration was canceled last year because all four of the 82nd's combat brigades and its headquarters unit were deployed.

This year, the annual Fort Bragg celebration of troops begins early Monday with the Division Run.

Members of the 82nd Airborne will run on Longstreet Road singing cadence and accompanied by the division All American Band and ceremonial cannons.

Sgt. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston, Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel will lead the 16,000 paratroopers on the four-mile run.

The public is invited to watch the run, which begins at 6 a.m.

Parking is available near the Lee and Callahan physical fitness centers off Reilly Street and off Butner Road in the Old Division Area.

The division is known as the All-American Division because when it was formed in World War I, it had members from all 48 states. The nickname led to the design of the unit's famous shoulder patch, with twin letters "A" on it.