House Lawmakers Pay Tribute to D-Day by Parachuting from WWII-Era Plane

Marking the 80th anniversary of the historic event, 10 U.S. House members, including both Republicans and Democrats, honored the sacrifices of WWII veterans by recreating a daring wartime operation.

On the hallowed grounds of Normandy, France, a group of present-day House lawmakers took a courageous leap into history to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Donning authentic WWII military uniforms, these elected officials and former military servicemen parachuted from a U.S. C-47 military transport plane, a symbol of the iconic airborne operations that turned the tide of the war in Europe.

This daring event was the brainchild of Representatives Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo.), both veterans themselves. Ten lawmakers, including nine Republicans and one Democrat, embarked on this pilgrimage to pay tribute to the countless heroes who fought valiantly on that fateful June 6, 1944.

Among the participants was Representative Cory Mills (R-Fla.), whose jump was a heartfelt gesture honoring Peter Arthur Durante, a 100-year-old WWII veteran from his district, who had served in the 119th Battalion.

"Stepping back in time in a way, you're really trying to think about how many sacrifices that were made," Mills reflected before the jump. "This is one of the greatest opportunities that I've had since I've been in Congress: to be able to literally recreate and reenact what they had done in 1944."

With a mix of awe and reverence, the lawmakers recalled the significance of the 82nd Airborne Division, in which both Mills and Crow had served, and its pivotal role in the D-Day invasion.

"To be able to honor the veterans who served in those units before me, actually conducting the jump, is certainly a real privilege," Crow remarked.

Representative Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) acknowledged the inherent risk of the jump at his age, but remained undeterred by the challenge. "It's just awesome," he exclaimed. "I mean, it's going to be one of the last D-Day anniversaries where you actually have, you know, veterans that were there."

Other participants in the jump included Representatives Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), Keith Self (R-Texas), and House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.).

Their daring reenactment served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation and the enduring legacy of D-Day. As they floated down to Mont-Saint-Michel, each lawmaker carried with them the weight of history and the profound gratitude for those who had come before them, ensuring the preservation of freedom and democracy.