Watching the 506th jump again...

[WWIIBuff]

Don't tell my staff but that appointment I was suposedly at all morning... was really an awesome opportunity to watch WWII Screamin' Eagles soar again.

My friend Bill Galbraith (I/506th - Normandy & Holland) invited me down to the airstrip by my home today to watch a couple of his 506th buddies. They were there from San Diego, New York, and Las Vegas to qualify for their upcoming jump in Normandy for the 60th anniversary celebrations next month.

They had all jumped together on 6-6-1944, and again on 6-5-1994, but unfortunately due to a recent stroke (from too many push-ups), Bill will not be allowed to jump this year. Although I know he really wants to, even with the leg that was blown apart by an 88 in Eindhoven.

I felt really blessed to be there with them this morning and I wish them all the best at Normandy. Here are a few shots I thought you guys might enjoy. The first one is of Bill and Richard Mandich. Richard is also the president of the national "Return to Normandy" association.

John

[WWIIBuff]

506th jumps again

Suiting up...

[WWIIBuff]

506th jumps again

Almost time...

[WWIIBuff]

506th jumps again

The squad's all ready...

Left to right: Richard Case (502nd ACRT), Dick Mandich (506th PIR), Richard Falvey (506th PIR), and Bill Galbraith (506th PIR).

[WWIIBuff]

506th jumps again

All the jumps went well, although as his finale, Richard latched on to the only flag out there on the large open lake bed.

[Bill D.]

Absolutely awesome!

It is like looking at the photos of the 75th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, when the elder Civil War Confederate veterans move across the fields as they had when they participated in Pickett's charge, more than seven decades before.

[Frank Pacheco]

Nice Photos John It is great to see them and I hope they have another succesful jump in Normandy again. When they hit the ground I wish I could be there to give them a shot of Calvados.Frank

[WWIIBuff]

506th jumps again

Hi guys,

Bill those must be some pretty moving photos. I really enjoyed visiting Gettysburgh and look forward to going back someday.

Frank, funny you should say that. They were telling me a story about one of their other buddies who jumped on the 50th with them in Normandy. Seems that he was enjoying a bit too much of the Calvados while he was over there. The doctor had to tell him to lay off or she wouldn't let him jump.

Actually she was there today as well. She's a cute little French girl who now lives in San Diego but who is still responsible for clearing them for the jump.

Take care.

John

[J.von Canon]

Carl Beck(on left)

The squad's all ready...

I believe the jumper on the left is Carl Beck,of Atlanta.
Many of Carl's war relics can be found on Mark Bando's airborne collectors website TRIGGER TIME.
Carl is a feisty great guy.He jumped on the 50th.Normandy Anniv.
J.von Canon

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, looking at these guys it makes you feel very humble. I take my hat off to them.

Cheers, Ade.

[Allan H.]

John,
I really appreciate getting to see the photos and am glad to know that Bill is recovering from his stroke. Thanks for posting them!
Oh yeah, ask Bill if he ever hears from his old buddy Lt. Nye.
Allan

[WWIIBuff]

506th Jumps again

Hi guys,

A bit of a sad update on these pictures. After I left that day they made a second jump, I didn't stay around because the press was spending so much time with interviews. I just found out today that Richard Falvey (tan jumpsuit) dislocated his shoulder upon exiting the plane. He is ok now, but very disappointed as he probably won't be able to jump in Normandy in two weeks. He is not quite sure what happened. They were doing static-line jumps to be authentic, but he doesn't think he got caught up in the line.

I'm wishing him a speedy recovery.

John