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Triple Nickle Remembrance Run pays tribute to historic Black Paratroopers
- Details
- Tuesday, 12 August 2025
- Written by Jamie Bishop
Runners, veterans, and history enthusiasts will lace up on Saturday, Aug. 30, for the Triple Nickle Remembrance Run, a 5.55-mile race held on the Liberty Trail at Fort Bragg to honor the enduring legacy of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, America’s first all-Black airborne unit.
Organized by the Tau Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the run begins at 8 a.m. near the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds off Watson Street. Registration is open to the public through RunSignUp.com, and participants can choose between an in-person experience or a virtual run that allows them to honor the Triple Nickles from any location. Race timing will be provided by Run the East, LLC, and participants will receive official bibs, finisher medals, and race shirts.The symbolic 5.55-mile distance pays homage to the numerical designation of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, nicknamed the “Triple Nickles.” Their groundbreaking role in military history has gained renewed attention on social media in recent years, with military heritage organizations and veteran influencers sharing stories of the battalion under hashtags like #TripleNickles, #555PIB, and #LegacyRun.
Established in 1943, the Triple Nickles trained at Fort Benning and Fort Bragg, breaking barriers at a time when segregation was still enforced across the U.S. military. Although they were never deployed overseas during World War II, the battalion played a vital role in a lesser-known domestic mission: Operation Firefly, which saw them deployed as “smokejumpers” to combat wildfires in the Pacific Northwest caused by Japanese balloon bombs. With over 1,200 jumps, the 555th contributed both to national defense and wildfire containment efforts.
In 1947, the unit was officially integrated into the 82nd Airborne Division. Their example of professionalism and excellence contributed to the momentum behind President Truman’s desegregation of the armed forces in 1948, making the battalion’s legacy a cornerstone of military civil rights history.
The 2025 Remembrance Run is one of several initiatives promoted by Omega Psi Phi to highlight the contributions of African American service members. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Tau Gamma Gamma Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to high school seniors in the Fort Bragg and Fayetteville area.
On the official RunSignUp event page, organizers encourage families, community members, and service members from all branches to participate. Participants without base access must obtain a visitor pass from the All-American Gate Visitor Center, which is free but required to enter the installation.
Virtual participants can register through Aug. 30 and complete the 5.55-mile run from anywhere in the world. Organizers have emphasized inclusivity and accessibility across their event postings, including shared updates on Omega Psi Phi’s local chapter Facebook page and other fraternity channels.
Registered runners can expect to receive their race packets, medals, and shirts by mail. The run adds to a growing calendar of commemorative athletic events at Fort Bragg, such as the “Run, Honor, Remember” 5K held earlier in May.
These events are part of a larger cultural movement that fuses fitness with historical remembrance and community service.
In recent months, the Triple Nickle Remembrance Run has also been spotlighted on veteran-centric event platforms such as AllEvents, which lists the run among key commemorations of military heritage in North Carolina. Promotional materials call the run a “ceremony in motion,” designed to keep the memory of the 555th Battalion alive through movement, reflection, and unity. While the event has drawn attention from across the Southeast, it carries particular significance at Fort Bragg, one of the original training sites for the battalion.
By retracing some of the physical ground walked and run by the Triple Nickles more than 80 years ago, participants form a living tribute to their courage and service.
Those interested in joining the run, donating, or learning more about the battalion’s history are encouraged to visit runsignup.com and follow @TGGOmegaPsiPhi on social media for updates. Event-day announcements, commemorative moments, and participant highlights are expected to be shared across Facebook and Instagram throughout race weekend.
As Aug. 30 approaches, the Triple Nickle Remembrance Run stands as more than a race; it is a call to remember, honor, and continue the work of those who paved the way for equality in uniform.
Every mile run is a step forward in carrying their story into the future. For more information on the Remembrance Run, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/FortBragg/TripleNickleRemembranceRun.
(Photo courtesy of Triple Nickle Remembrance Run Facebook Page)
