Devils-Digest “508th Chapter Still Alive”
July 2017 By: Ken Hamill, Delbert Grush & Eric Sowers.

A wonderful thing happened while our March Devils Digest was being published; two young dynamic 508 veteran’s joined the 82nd Airborne Division Association and expressed a desire to help. We spoke on the phone a while and they were appointed sworn and duly appointed board members, please meet —
Delbert M. Grush -Chapter Secretary
Retired Army Sergeant Delbert M. Grush enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Paratrooper from 2004–2012 serving as a 13F Fire Support Specialist (Forward Observer.) After initial training in Ft. Sill, OK. and completion of the Basic Airborne Course at Ft. Benning, GA. He was stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C. He served under distinguished units of FORSCOM, XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, including 2–319 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 3–325 Parachute Infantry Regiment & 2–508 Parachute Infantry Regiment which would last the tenure of his military career which was unforeseeably cut short.
During Operation Enduring Freedom VII Sgt. Grush had become ill over a course of months in Afghanistan which led to a medical evacuation followed by a medical retirement. Grush is a Wounded Warrior Project & AW2 Alumni, and the very first graduate Information Technology at the Transition Training Academy (TTA) at Ft. Bragg. He now lives with a aggressive case of muscular dystrophy which is incurable and keeps him adapting and improvising. His fortitude ensures he stays productive regardless of the limitations.
Post-Retirement Sgt Grush founded a 501c3 not-for-profit, a community restoration project piloted in the state of Florida. Grush knows that from those who receive many blessings, much is expected. His desire to give back is amongst his core values, and his volunteer efforts are known well regionally. His participation in Tallahassee & Florida’s civic life is extensive. He has overcome his humble beginnings as a at-risk, small town youth which led him to focus on the education and well being of his four daughters Paris, Taylor, Teagan and Marley.
His goal at a early age was to become a accomplished entrepreneur. Small town Florida has always been a part of his DNA. Growing up in the rural North Florida community of Monticello, “where nobody was ever a stranger” gave him a appreciation and a opportunity to participate in his community. The discipline that came with self promoted success, and forged values of the American Veteran Paratrooper enabled him to achieve many milestones. Sgt Grush also has extensive & unique experience in organizational success, personal performance, critical thinking and a personal insight to veteran advocacy.
As Secretary to the 508th Chapter he seeks to bring his network, energy & skills to leverage them in fundraising and budgeting efforts for the organization. Why? “This is a cause that is beyond a Unit, and beyond Ft. Bragg. It transcends ages, and there is a overwhelming feeling across the nation that we can do better by our veterans & their families.”
With love for his regiment, Sgt. Grush has hopes to motivate involvement with the 508th PIR Chapter, encouraging and increasing memberships, while integrating all era’s of veterans. This will be achieved by structuring and execution of planning, whilst keeping the preservation of our history and promotion of our mission in foreword thought.

“ Not long after Delbert’s appointment as Chapter Secretary a second wonderful thing happened. Delbert quickly recruited a canny, trusted brother and confidant whom he served with in their days in the 82nd Airborne Division. Another busy and dynamic veteran, please meet —
Eric M. “jack” Sowers — Vice Chairman
Former Team Leader and Sergeant Eric Malloy “Jack” Sowers enlisted in the U.S. Army under the delayed entry program in 2003. Once he completed High School in 2004 he was well on his way to Basic Training & AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Ft. Sill, OK. to become a 13F Fire Support Specialist (Forward Observer.)
After becoming Airborne qualified through the Basic Airborne Course at Ft. Benning, GA. he was stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C. Where he served with historical & distinguished units of FORSCOM XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, including 2–319 Airborne Field Artillery, 3–325 Airborne Infantry Regiment and 2–508 Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Mr. Sowers deployed with the Punishers 1st. Platoon Alpha Company 2–508 Red Devils in support of OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) the seventh rotation. He was down range the duration of the 15 month deployment in the eastern region of Afghanistan known as Regional Command East or simply RC East. Their missions were in and around the province known as Ghazni.
Since honorably separating from the Army in 2008 Mr. Sowers has welcomed a daughter (Raylynn) and a son (Jackson) to the world. He is a college graduate with a degree in paralegal studies. He is currently enrolled and taking classes at Kent State University to complete his pre-law minor so that he can enroll into law school to become a attorney.
He currently volunteers his time and efforts with Team RWB (Red, White & Blue) organization, and attending the veterans courts at Franklin County Municipal Court Building downtown in his hometown Columbus, Ohio to show and lend support to the veterans going through the program.
Needless to say he has been very proactive as of late getting involved with veteran organizations & businesses. When Mr. Sowers was approached about joining this 508 PIR Chapter, neither positions nor roles were discussed initially because he was so excited to simply join the Chapter and stop being considered a “Military At Large” lifetime member to the 82nd Airborne Division Association. Joining this Chapter and being given a chance to be a part of new life to it is just a opportunity he was greatly humbled and excited to be a part of.
When asked about his vision and future holdings for the Chapter Mr. Sowers said “ I want to incorporate the 7 Army Values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity & Personal Courage) in addition to my legal background and contributions to this Chapter and make it the golden standard when it comes to the 82nd Airborne Division Association or any other veteran organization for that matter. I want to to give us all a voice and platform to use that is loud enough to be heard.”
He also went on to paraphrase the Normandy Battle Report: I want to be relieved from my post using the same thing said thirty-three days after D-Day “No ground gained was ever relinquished.” I want to push this Chapter to great heights and well beyond the future.
Thank you for this opportunity.

Follow us on Facebook @508thPIR
Upcoming Events:
82nd Convention
100 Years All American
1917–2017
Rosen Centre Hotel
Orlando, Florida
Tel # 855–274–4702
August 9–13, 2017
508 PIR 75th Anniversary Reunion
Ramada Plaza
Fayetteville, North Carolina
October 18–22, 2017
To those of you who transferred your membership to another Chapter because we were about to stand down before Delbert M. Grush & Eric M. “jack” Sowers came along, you can and are encourage to return to our 508th PIR Chapter, or you may become affiliate members. Please contact any of our board members with your questions pertaining how we can be a benefit to you. Any new memberships, donations or contributions should be sent to:
Delbert M. Grush
123 Bass Street
Tallahassee, Fl. 32301
850–242–1902
