Triple Nickles Legacy Lives On at The 555 Annual Golf Tournament
(JANUARY 16, 2026) — Building on the momentum of its previous successes, the 555 (Triple Nickles) organization and the VFW Post 6449 are preparing to host its fifth annual golf tournament on June 26 at Crystal Lake Golf Course in Hampton, Georgia. The event, inspired by Coach Willie Leon McGee, continues a growing tradition of combining golf, history, and community impact, following earlier tournaments that delivered a memorable mix of fun, networking, and an enjoyable on-course experience for participants. Golf serves as both the setting and the connector, bringing together supporters, partners, and players in a shared effort to honor legacy while investing in future generations.
This year’s tournament draws inspiration from the powerful history of the Triple Nickles, the nation’s first all-Black parachute battalion, whose story began with determination in the face of exclusion during World War II. In 1943, First Sergeant Walter Morris oversaw the Parachute School Service Company, a unit of Black Soldiers responsible for supporting the Airborne program but barred from becoming paratroopers themselves. Despite wearing the uniform, they were denied the opportunity to serve fully, facing widespread doubt about their abilities and courage.
Refusing to accept those limitations, Morris quietly organized nighttime training sessions after the base had gone silent. Under the cover of darkness, select soldiers endured demanding physical conditioning and Airborne drills that mirrored the training their white counterparts received during the day. These sessions transformed the unit. Discipline sharpened, highly spit-shined boots, pride returned, and confidence replaced discouragement. What began as quiet defiance became a restoration of dignity and purpose.
Keeping The Legacy Alive
Today, Chapter President Trooper Johnny Miller of the Robert F. Greene 555th Parachute Infantry Association continues to lead through success. By hosting the tournament at Crystal Lake Golf Course, the organization once again uses golf as a platform for remembrance, connection, and giving back. The June 26 event is designed not only to provide an enjoyable day on the course, but also to honor the legacy of the Triple Nickles while directly supporting veterans, providing students with scholarships, and serving communities in need. The National Museum of the United States Army carries a history of the organization on its website.
That legacy of perseverance and service is central to the spirit of the upcoming golf tournament. The event is coordinated by Trooper Charlie Turner, who has played a key role in shaping the tournament’s continued growth and impact. Turner shared that planning for this year’s outing is progressing smoothly and noted a significant new partnership with Veterans Coalition Foundation, Inc. He explained that the organization has aligned with a “heavy hitter” group that recently received an anonymous $100,000 donation to support homeless veterans, address food insecurity, and help fund scholarships awarded annually to high school seniors. “They have been watching our two chapters, the VFW Post 6449 and the 555″ from afar and seeing how we have been running our organization effectively and with integrity. Our golf tournaments helped bring everyone together and ultimately led to the merger that united us as one organization,” says Turner.
To learn more about the 2026 golf tournament visit https://charitygolftoday.com/event?e=25532&ce=d9cef8
