PHILLY 82nd HOME

CHAPTER HISTORY . . . [in Chairman Dan Bosak’s words]: In the beginning of the chapter, we were members of the South Jersey Chapter who at the time hosted the convention in Philadelphia. After the convention, which was a huge success, Ed Mokan came to me and asked if I thought we start our own chapter. I had some reservations, but he informed me that he was going to go through with it no matter what. After going back and forth with a lot of talk, it was decided that we would move forward. We informed Ed Slavin and the other members of the South Jersey Chapter what our intentions were, and they tried to talk us into staying with their chapter knowing we had just worked our butts off to run the conventin with a small handful of people. And he knew we were people the chapter could depend upon. We asked the chapter for a stipend of the monies we helped raise and although they were under no obligation and after some talk with the national chairmnan, they decided to give us some start-up money which we gladly accepted with humility. Ed Mokan, Tom Golden, Bill Lynn, Charlie McCready AND Dan Bosak started the chapter. The exact year escapes me at this time. However, through the years we have grown into a fairly large group of men who have kept the Airborne Spirit alive in the Philadelphia area. Our chapter is a very diversified group with members form WWII, Korea, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War, Global War on Terrorism, Afghanistan and Iraq. It is a pleasure to attend our light-hearted meetings and listen to our older and more distinguished veterans tell of their experiences over the years. We have been going through some rough times lately with the passing of a few great men, but we continue to keep our Spirit alive. Our chapter Honor Guard is one of the best-revered group in the area, and I am always proud of them at every event - they do the Airborne Community proud. We have several functions through the course of the years, serve many different causes, and always stand tall. Ever since the Chapter's inception, I have served as an officer or chairman may times and always with pride and humility. I will continue to serve as long as needed because there is no better group of men I'd rather be associated with. AIRBORNE ALWAYS, CHAIRMAN The Chapter is named after two of our greatest leaders and characters that we have ever had the pleasure to know. Henry “Hank” Hajdack (or Hajack) and Ed Mokan. They epitomized the meaning of the phrase “the greatest generation ever”. And damn, were they fun to be around.