Well I just got back from France for the 59th Annv. jump at Saint Mere Eglise.  Lots of fun but a little pain.  The town still hangs a paratrooper off of the church steeple every year and there are alot of WWII reinactors and vehicles present.  The French in Normandie still remember the sacrifacies that our country made there in WWI and WWII.  Kids where coming up to guys in uniform and asking for our autographs.

 Sunday was the jump and 3ea C-130 aircraft where availible for support.  Three airborne units boarded (1/10 SF(+3 Rangers from Rgt), SOCEUR, & 5th QM) the aircraft near Cherbourgh.  The SOCEUR bird hit a bird and had to land for mantaince.  The Drop Zone is 8-9 seconds long meaning that you can only get 9 guys out off a ramp/16 jumpers if doors before the aircraft flies off the drop zone and it becomes unsafe.  I was the primary jumpmaster in the lead AC which I exited on the 4th pass at 800 feet above ground level.  The wind picked up at 300' and slammed several jumpers into the ground.  One jumper suffered a concussion (his cherry jump/first jump out of airborne school), one jumper broke his collar bone, another jumper dislocated his hip and I fractured my hip.

 Did fly over the Utah and Omaha beaches, saw the memorials and cemeteries.  Got to see Point Du Hoc just as the pilot banked the aircraft hard.  An historic jump that I'll do again with no reservations!

AIRBORNE!  De Oppersso Liber

Wow, sounds rough but exhilarating.  Glad the Normans still appreciate the US.

hoo-ahh!


[beer]

This gives me a great idea. Next year is the 60th anniversary so we plan a huge "re-enactment" of Operation Overlord. We amass huge quantities of seaborne and airborne troops then use it as a subterfuge to invade and "liberate" France from the godless, oppressive socialists.

That would be sweet! [headbang]

nice idea, but we should do that here in Washington, DC ..........[b]FIRST[/b]!!!!!!!

Sounds like a great opportunity.  It's gratifying to know that not all of the French fit the stereotype.

Thank you for your service to our nation.

Great post!

Too bad about the hip,, bet that hurt like a mother!!