The 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment,

The 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, participated in Molly Pitcher Day on Sicily Drop Zone July 6. Hundreds of paratroopers, families, friends and guests gathered under military camouflage netting to observe a live fire demonstration of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from the drop zone. It is a rare chance for civilians to witness live artillery fire. “Molly Pitcher,” who’s real name was Mary Hayes, was the wife of an artilleryman during the Revolutionary War. Like many wives, Hayes was present on the battlefield to provide the Soldiers with water during the fight. When the Soldiers were thirsty they would yell “Molly, pitcher,” to have a drink brought to them. However, when her husband was injured, Hayes left her pitcher behind, took control of the cannon and continued firing at the British. In celebration of her memory and contributions to the artillery, the 2-319th AFAR conducted an air raid with two M119A2 howitzers sling loaded beneath two CH47 Chinook helicopters and then fired accurately onto Coleman Impact Area on Fort Bragg. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew G. Ryan, 2/82 PAO)