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Keeping History Alive - Normandy, France

June 6, 2024 |D- Day

June 6th, 1944

Around 01:30 AM (barely an hour after the elite pathfinder paratroopers landed to mark Drop Zones using luminescent “T”s for the main invasion force of paratroopers), over 1,200 C-47s carrying  the main force of 13,000 paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well as several thousand paratroopers of the British 6th Airborne Division arrived overhead to deploy thousands of paratroopers (including 4,000 brought in by gliders towed by C-47s). Over 23,000 paratroopers arrived behind enemy lines on Normandy soil that night and forever changed the outcome of WWII and eventually, to restore freedom to the people of France.  

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June 6th, 2024


  In Honor of the WWII Normandy D-Day Invasion Forces, the Greatest Generation Aircraft, based at Fort Worth’s Meacham International Airport, will take our DC-3/C-47 “Southern Cross” to participate inflight during the 80th Anniversary / Observance of one of the most significant events of WWII.


Our goal is to be present in the skies over Normandy, to show our Honor and Respect for every individual of the June 6 Normandy Invasion and indeed everyone now known as “The Greatest Generation” that we and the world are so very grateful for their sacrifices and hard work, at home and abroad. Every individual in the United States and our Allied countries, played a part to bring an end to WWII; now, it is our turn to honor them.


Greatest Generation Aircraft, along with Liberty Jump Team, would be honored to be able to show our presence on this historical day and support for those who lost their lives fighting for us all back home. We humbly ask for your help in reaching our goal in any way. You can greatly benefit our organization and get us closer to being able to do what we love to do. What we are called to do in remembrance of our fallen heroes.

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Liberty Jump Team

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  Liberty Jump Team was founded in 2006 and began executing commemorative jumps in Normandy, France. A professional team made up of active and former Military and some civilians, LJT represent the US, as well as 10 other countries. Liberty Jump Team jumps the real drop zones from WWII and has been the lead in for the combined forces Military drop at La Fière onto ‘Iron Mike II’ drop zone since 2009.


For the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, over 65 Liberty Jump Team jumpers, 10th Special Forces, Special Forces Parachute Team and the Chuters performed jumps onto drop zone ‘D’ in Angoville au Plan, St Germaine de Varreville and the Military drop at La Fière, which was attended by over 100,000 people to include over 20 members of US Congress and other notable VIPs. The team was scheduled for jumps as well onto drop zone ‘T’ in Amfreville and in Graignes but had to cancel due to weather. 


Liberty Jump Team will have the honor again for the 80th Anniversary to jump some of the before mentioned drop zones. The only thing they are missing is their very own air ship to carry them through to each drop zone. We implore your support for this tremendous endeavor. Will you help "Southern Cross" get to Normandy to support LJT?


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Oh, Thee Places We'll Go

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Sainte Mere Eglise

One of the first villages liberated by allied paratroopers in the early hours of June 6, 1944 during the D-Day Invasion into Normandy France. This village was made famous in the movie "the Longest Day" as the actor Red Buttons portrayed John Steele who was stuck on the church bell tower during his parachute jump on D-Day.

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La Fiere Bridge (Dropzone)

A four-day battle for control of the small stone bridge over the Merderet River at La Fière in Normandy is testament to the bridge’s strategic importance in the D-Day invasion of June 1944. Without control of the bridge and its vital causeway, American forces coming from Utah Beach would not have been able to force their way inland. Each year 100's of modern military paratroopers jump into this area during the annual D-Day commemorations.

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Angoville-au-Plain

Allied paratroopers jumped into this village during the early morning hours of June 6 1944. The eleventh century church was secured and was used by 2 US Army Medics as an aide station during the Battle of Normandy in World War II.

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Omaha Beach

This beach was key for amphibious landings by the American Allied Forces during the D-Day Invasion on June 6 1944. The heaviest casualties were experienced by the Americans at the Omaha Beach sector.

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American Cemetery in Normandy

This cemetery honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. It overlooks Omaha Beach and covers 172.5 acres and contains 9,388 burials.

Help Us Make This Dream A Reality

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Donations Encouraged To Help Us Reach Our Goal!

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Our Heroes Over Texas

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Photos From 2020 and 2021 Heroes Over Texas Event

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Heroes Over Texas is an event for the local surviving D-Day veterans hosted by Liberty Jump Team with the support of Greatest Generation Aircraft. LJT brings in a delicious lunch for these gentlemen before they board the "Southern Cross" for a daytime scenic flight around Downtown Fort Worth and Arlington. Doing this flight the past two years has brought so much joy to these men and to our organization as well. We will forever strive to Keep History Alive!

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Christmas Light Flights

Greatest Generation Aircraft fundraises all year round to keep our beloved Southern Cross in the skies. You too can be apart of Keeping Our History Alive! Fly around down town just like Santa but with a 1942 twist! Our C-47 “Southern Cross” will take you around Fort Worth and Arlington to see some of the most amazing Christmas Light displays North Texas has to offer. Depart out of the American Aero in Meacham International Airport for the 45 minute experience meant for the whole family! Tickets sold by the seat. 3 years and younger can sit on lap.


Visit Our Website!

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We need your help to make this tremendous journey to Normandy in 2024 to Honor those that contributed to the end of the war and most importantly, to those soldiers that paid the Ultimate Sacrifice; those whom fought and died to defeat tyranny and oppression. 


As a mere 501(c)(3) organization, the cost of such an undertaking is far from our reach.  The scenic air tours and airshow rides, are sufficient to keep this historic aircraft safely maintained and flying, but as a “Not-for Profit” organization, it is obvious that realization of this mission requires outside help - Your Help.     

 

We welcome your assistance in any form that enables us to achieve such a noble and difficult task of flying our 80 year old C-47 to Normandy to participate in mass C-47 formations and parachute drops into historic WWII Drop Zones for the 80th observance of “The Day of Days” (D-Day, 1944).

 

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