On Friday, a group of eight lawmakers parachuted from a plane over Normandy, France, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
Reps. Michael Walz (R-FL), Corey Mills (R-FL), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Mark Green (R-TN), Rich McCormick (R-GA) and Jason Crow (D-CO) participated in a re-enactment of a parachute jump by U.S. Army veterans who parachuted into Normandy during World War II.
According to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, “The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944, brought together Allied land, air, and naval forces in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history.” Website.
Mills Recorded According to video footage obtained by authorities, he was seen parachuting from a C-47 Skytrain. Washington Examiner.
People take part in a multinational parachute drop to commemorate the contributions of paratroopers in the Normandy landings as part of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, in Saint-Nerville, Normandy, France, June 5, 2024. A congressional delegation is also preparing to hold a commemorative parachute drop in Normandy on Friday, June 6. The bipartisan group, organized by Reps. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo.), will include 10 members of the House of Representatives, all of whom are military veterans. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
“To be able to take part in such an incredible experience of jumping across the same field for 80 years was a great way for me to highlight that service and sacrifice,” Crowe said. ABC News.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, we bring you an exclusive video of Congressman Corey Mills jumping out of a plane in Normandy.
Senator Mills jumped off the C-47 SkyTrain this morning along with other Members of Parliament.
| translator pic.twitter.com/MpCLakOX7e
— Rachel Schilke (@rachel_schilke) June 7, 2024
Before the jump, Crow told media that the purpose of the jump was to remind people that “America is at its best when we are united in a common cause and purpose.”
All of the lawmakers who took part in the parachute jump were military veterans.
Waltz, the first Green Beret to serve in Congress, told the outlet that the Normandy landings will be “the last big anniversary with World War II veterans” and that veterans need to be honored.
“This will be the last major anniversary for our World War II veterans. The youngest we know of is 96 years old and the oldest is 107 years old,” Waltz said in a statement to the outlet. “We must honor them and tell their stories and sacrifices. What better way to tell those stories to future generations than by jumping out of a pristine World War II-era aircraft?”
Before the jump, Waltz photograph For each of the eight senators, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) wrote that he was offering “special prayers” for them to parachute down.
Speaker Johnson offers special prayer for parachutists as eight Republican members of the House of Representatives descend on Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary. pic.twitter.com/3qfwmPDO8n
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) June 7, 2024
Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) also participated in a solo skydive on Friday to commemorate D-Day in Normandy. according to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
“I’m looking forward to enjoying and celebrating and experiencing where they jumped,” Self told the outlet. “It’ll be awesome just to jump where they jumped.”
