Monday, Aug. 16, has been proclaimed as Airborne Day in the area and Wisconsin.
Gov. Tommy Thompson has made the designation in Wisconsin and the area designations come from the Portage County Board chairman, Stevens Point mayor and Plover village president.
Walter Pakulski of Plover said members of the Airborne Association have also petitioned to have Aug. 16 designated as national Airborne Day.
The date refers to the first official Army parachute jump, which was made on Aug. 16, 1940, by 48 volunteers in the Parachute Test Platoon.
Stevens Point is linked to the Airborne Association since the Clark Street bridge is designated as the Airborne Forces Memorial Bridge, saluting parachutes, air assault, gliders and glider pilot forces.
The monument on the west side of the bridge in the telephone park was presented by Wisconsin citizens and the Badger State Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, of which Pakulski is a member.
With construction of a new bridge, the monument will be removed and placed in storage until the bridge is completed and then moved to a new location on the east side of the bridge.