My wife, Sheila, and I recently took a road trip to North Carolina. We stopped to visit with my Brother and his family for a few days and had a wonderful time. Then we headed off to Fort Bragg, N.C. to attend All American Week. While we were there we did three book signings and met some really nice people. We went to the Division Review and watched excitedly as four sky divers parachuted down, one with a huge American flag and another with a POW/MIA flag. It’s an awesome site seeing the entire 82nd Abn. Division out on the parade field. From there we went to the Memorial Ceremony to honor the fallen troopers of the Division. It pulls at your heart strings watching each family lay a yellow rose at the base of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial.
We also attended the 82nd Association Social and were treated to the beautiful sounds of the 82nd Abn. Chorus. While there, I had a chance to speak with Major General James L. Huggins, commander of the 82nd Abn. Division.
We left for home on Sunday and stopped at Arlington National Cemetery to pay our respects to A.J. and all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We always look forward to seeing Arlington and meeting new families who are just going down that road of pain and sorrow. I try to offer them hope and comfort from someone who has been there before them.
Thank you for looking at my website, and keep checking in as I will try to keep it updated.




Joseph Baddick served as an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper before working for the PA Department of Corrections for twenty years. He is the author of My Hero, My Son.
Joe's son, A.J., also served in the 82nd Airborne Division. In 2003, he sacrificed himself to save a fellow soldier while serving in Iraq. His fascinating story is documented in the book My Hero, My Son.