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101st Airborne shows modern
might with drill in French town freed by D-Day predecessors

By 

PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN

STARS AND STRIPES • June 2, 2024 p

CARENTAN-LES-MARAIS, France — Soldiers with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division commemorating the impending 80th anniversary of D-Day jumped out of helicopters Sunday and attacked mock targets in a display that showcased the present while Helicopters of the 101st Airborne Division fly over Carentan, 

France, on June 2, 2024, as part of D-Day commemoration events. The 101st Airborne Division conducted an air assault demonstration in Normandy. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

A mass parachute jump over Normandy kicks off commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day

By 

JOHN LEICESTER

ASSOCIATED PRES • June 2, 2024

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A parachute drop in Carentan-Les-Marais in Normandy, France, on Sunday, June 2, 2024, ahead of D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations. (Jeremias Gonzalez/AP)

CARENTAN-LES-MARAIS, France — Parachutists jumping from World War II-era planes hurled themselves Sunday into now peaceful Normandy skies where war once raged, heralding a week of ceremonies for the fast-disappearing generation of Allied troops who fought from D-Day beaches 80 years ago to Adolf Hitler’s fall, helping free Europe of his tyranny.

All along the Normandy coastline — where then-young soldiers from across the United States, Britain, Canada and other Allied nations waded ashore through hails of fire on five beaches on June 6, 1944 — French officials, grateful Normandy survivors and other admirers are saying “merci” but also goodbye.