U.S. Representatives Before Recreating Iconic D-Day Jump - Photo by Rep. Darrell Issa's Office
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) – Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden, along with several other House lawmakers, recreated one of the key moments of the invasion of Normandy on the 80th anniversary.
According to the New York Post, Rep. Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, was joined by fellow veterans turned U.S. Representatives for the jump, including Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), a Bronze Star-decorated Green Beret, Keith Self (R-Texas), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Mark Green (R-Tenn.), Cory Mills (R-Fla.), and Jason Crow (D-Colo.).
The Post further noted that before lining up to board a vintage C-47 transport plane for the drop, the House members dressed to fit the part. They wore khaki World War II uniforms, complete with boots from the same era, standard-issue paratrooper helmets, and patches representing the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions.
“Hell of a jump,” Waltz said in an interview with ABC News after reaching the ground. “Honoring our forefathers. Heroes. The Greatest Generation. It is my honor as a member of Congress and veteran Green Beret to be able to do this. Just incredible.”
On Thursday, the last remaining veterans of the D-Day invasion toured the northern French beaches with legislators and paid tribute to their fellow soldiers who lost their lives on June 6, 1944.
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