WASHINGTON (AP) — A delegation of U.S. Congressmen held a commemorative parachute drop in Normandy on Friday. D-Day 80th Anniversary and Historic attack It marked the end of World War II.
The bipartisan group, organized by Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), includes 10 veteran lawmakers. Travel to France In honor of the American and Allied forces, Defining moments at home and abroad.
Walz said he thinks it’s important for Americans to see their congressional representatives acting “unified” in a time of political hostility and infighting. Honoring Veterans.
“I think it’s worthwhile to pass on their legacy by doing something really remarkable that younger people can look at and say, ‘Wow, that’s amazing, that’s amazing,'” said the congressman, a former Army officer and Green Beret.
Crow and Waltz, both of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment, received similar promotions to mark the 75th anniversary. But this year, many more of their colleagues wanted promotions, eager to mark a milestone that may be the last opportunity to honor aging World War II veterans.
“Making the same jumps our troops did 80 years ago is an important way to honor our veterans and a way to remember that America is at its best when we set aside self-interest and do great things to make our country better, just as the Greatest Generation did decades ago,” Crow said.
They later shared photos and videos of their jumps and landings on a beautiful day near Mont Saint-Michel. “We pay tribute to our ancestors,” Waltz said, giving a thumbs up.
The group comes at a time when Congress is struggling to respond. The Basics of GovernanceIt is riven by domestic political divisions and an ongoing debate over America’s role in the world. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and The war between Israel and Hamas.
The congressional members, some of them veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as well as some who had been out of the military for years, do not necessarily see eye to eye politically, particularly over U.S. support for Ukraine. Republicans are leaning closer to Donald TrumpMost of the party’s presumptive presidential candidate voted against him. Recent aid packagesDemocratic President Joe Biden His own D-Day address They draw parallels with the fight for democracy in World War II and call for solidarity with Ukraine.
Ahead of the launch, many of the lawmakers took part in a practice run in Florida in April to recertify the launch.
“I’m ready, I’m going to be on my feet, on my knees, and out there with the wind blowing in my face,” Rep. Corey Mills, a Florida Republican and Army combat veteran, said earlier this week.
“You know, the reason we’re doing this, as always, is to honor one of the greatest generations of all time,” he said.
The lawmakers said that while their group is technically bipartisan, it is made up mostly of Republicans. The smallest majority in the House of Representatives In modern times.
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), a former Navy rear admiral and White House physician, said the advice from Republican leaders is simple: “Be careful.”
The lawmakers donned period paratrooper uniforms, flew aboard vintage aircraft and took part in a historical re-enactment, but on a much smaller scale.
80 years agoIn 1940, thousands of American troops and Allied paratroopers landed on the beaches of Normandy ahead of the largest fleet in history to transport masses of Allied soldiers across the English Channel to fight Nazi domination. It was the largest air, land and sea assault of all time. in historyIt marked the beginning of the end of Adolf Hitler’s conquest of Europe. Thousands of Americans and Allied soldiers died on D-Day and in the fighting that followed.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), an Army veteran, said he hopes the message people take away from the commemoration is that “we must not delay stopping tyranny” as the U.S. faces the challenge of helping Ukraine counter Russia – a measure he voted for.
Walz said he met with House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this week and assured the Republican leader of the group’s safety.
“He just looked at me, and I said, ‘Mr. Chairman, the planes are vintage, the uniforms are vintage, the location is historic, but the parachutes are new, so don’t worry. We’ll be fine,'” Waltz said.
A spokesman for Walz said all lawmakers landed safely.
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Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri contributed to this report.
