Belleville, Illinois - On Sunday, September 7, 2003, U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello was presented with the "Team Baton" by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute team at the conclusion of their performance at Air Fest 2003, the annual Air Show held at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

The solid mahogany baton that Costello received was passed between members of the Golden Knights team while in free fall flight during their performance on Sunday at the Air Show. As their tradition, the Knights present the baton to a distinguished member of their audience during each of their performances.

Stationed at the "Home of the Airborne," Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 90 soldiers that make up the "Golden Knights" come from many diverse backgrounds and have been trained in one of the 200 military occupational specialties the Army offers. The Knights can trace their origins to 1959, when Brig. Gen. Joseph Stillwell, then Chief of Staff of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, formed the Strategic Army Corps Parachute Team. On June 1, 1961, the Army officially recognized, redesigned and activated the team as the United States Army Parachute Team.

One year later, the Team officially adopted the nickname "Golden Knights" because of their winning record of gold medals and conquest of the skies. During the 43 years since its inception, the Team's mission has remained the same: (1) To perform live aerial demonstrations for the public and in promotion of the Army's public relations and recruitment efforts; (2) to compete in national and international parachuting competitions; and (3) to test and evaluate new parachuting equipment and techniques for improved operation and safety.

The Knights are also separated into two teams, the Formation Skydiving Team and the Style and Accuracy Team. These teams tour the world competing in parachuting competitions and amazing the parachuting world with their record of 408 national champions, 65 world champions, and 14 national and six world team titles in formation skydiving.

In addition to those accomplishments, they also claim the only six-time world champion parachutist in formation skydiving and the only three consecutive time national champion parachutists in style and accuracy parachuting. These impressive feats have made them not only the most-winning U.S. Department of Defense sports team, but also the most-winning parachute team in the world

For 43 years, the Team's superior performances, winning record and exemplary conduct have helped rekindle and sustain a feeling of pride in the hearts of many Americans. The Team's faces may have changed, but every "Golden Knight's" dedication to the Army and the American public has and will continue to remain steadfast well into the 21st century.

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