On Sept. 4, 1984, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) was reactivated on Watkins Field at then Fort Lewis.

During that ceremony the Group's colors were presented to the unit's commander, Col. David Baratto.

During his remarks, Baratto read from a letter written by a predecessor, Col. Charles Simpson.

"It would give me the greatest pleasure to be present and see a unit I loved resurrected and back in the field."

The reactivation of 1st Group in 1984 extends the unit's lineage back to the "Devil's Brigade," an elite American-Canadian unit organized early in World War II.

Thursday afternoon in the Coleman Compound in front of the unit's memorial wall, current 1st Group commander Col. Otto Liller spoke to that resurrection as he addressed Special Forces soldiers, former unit members and family members.

Liller used time and history - and a bit of humor - to underscore the ceremony.

Turning slightly to his left he asked for a show of hands from his soldiers as he asked, "How many of you were born after 1984?"

A forest of hands appeared, and the veterans sitting in front of Liller chuckled.

There is a sense of history behind those chuckles.

>>> The Ranger newspaper covered the reactivation of 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) 30 years ago on Sunday. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

After the war in Vietnam, Special Forces units were significantly reduced.  But as the Cold War slowly wound down and regional conflicts became more abundant, the need for special operations became apparent.

One of the areas of strategic interest then - as now - was Asia.

"Since 1984 our SF Group has contributed immensely to the stability in the Pacific and in Asia," continued Liller in his brief remarks.

As the nation's military forces rebalance to the Pacific, and 1st Group has a presence in 42 countries, most of them in Asia.

But for many of the veterans in the audience, the ceremony provided a moment for reflection.

"It's good to see all of these good folks," commented former Special Forces soldier Chris Nye.

"These guys worked hard to get here, and they work hard to stay here. And today is good to remember the fallen and to maintain our traditions."

>>> While an Honor Guard stands by, former members of 1st Group came together to celebrate the unit's 30th reactivation ceremony. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson