A group of U.S. House lawmakers, all veterans, commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day by parachuting from a WWII-era plane over Normandy, France. The lawmakers jumped from a C-47 Skytrain, the same type of aircraft used by paratroopers during the D-Day landings.
A bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers, all veterans, commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day by parachuting from a WWII-era plane over Normandy, France. The lawmakers jumped from a C-47 Skytrain, the same type of aircraft used by paratroopers during the D-Day landings.
The lawmakers, who are members of the House Armed Services Committee, wanted to honor the legacy of the troops who fought and died on D-Day, one of the most important battles of World War II.
"We are here to remember the sacrifices that were made by so many brave men and women 80 years ago," said Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), a former Green Beret who organized the jump. "We are humbled to stand in their footsteps and to pay tribute to their legacy."
The lawmakers trained for the jump for several months, and they were all safely recovered after landing in a field near Sainte-Mère-Église, France. The jump was the culmination of a week-long trip to Normandy, during which the lawmakers visited historical sites and met with veterans.
"This was an incredible experience," said Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. "It's one thing to read about D-Day in a book, but it's another thing to actually be here and to see the places where these brave men fought and died."
The lawmakers said that they were inspired by the courage and sacrifice of the D-Day veterans.
"We are grateful to the veterans who fought on D-Day," said Waltz. "We stand on their shoulders today, and we are committed to continuing their legacy of service and sacrifice."
The lawmakers' jump was just one of many events held around the world to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. D-Day, which took place on June 6, 1944, was the largest amphibious invasion in history. The landings were a turning point in World War II, and they helped to lead to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.
