WWII parachutists can't redo Normandy

Arizona Daily Star ^ | 4/9/04

[SandRat]

CLEVELAND - A group of World War II veterans won't get to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Allied invasion of France next month the way they wanted - the Army decided they're too old to safely parachute into Normandy.

"I am depressed. I was really looking forward to it," said Howard Greenberg, 79. "My reason for wanting to do it was to honor two Jewish friends

[SandRat]

Old Para Trooper still want to Stand Up! Hook up! JUMP! JUMP JUMP!

[Caipirabob]

This is probably not the real reason. The real reason is most likely that the French Government wanted to avoid the embarrasment of the local Socialists surrendering to Geriatric veterans landing in their vicinity.

"Zut Alors! George Burns... he iz here! Ze jig, she is up!"

[xrp]

It is obvious that someone out there is racist against elderly, WW2 vet, parachute enthusiasts.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

They're not that much older than former Pres. Bush, who frequently jumps out of planes on his birthday.

[SandRat]

Naaa, they just don't want the younger Euro women to learn what their Grandmothers learned about American Paratroopers.

[xrp]

[SandRat]

See reply #7

[Oldsailor]

See # 7.....The best reply I've seen here!!!!!

[Ready4Freddy]

Frequently? Well, at least once a year, huh? ;>)

They're not that much older than former Pres. Bush, who frequently jumps out of planes on his birthday.

[SAMWolf]

C Forty-seven going down the strip
Airborne Grandpas gonna take a little trip
Stand up, buckle up, schuffle to the door
Jump right out at the count of four.

[Ready4Freddy]

My sisters & a few other family members are accompanying my uncle to Normandie in a few weeks for the celebrations. Wouldn't miss it for the world - now 82, he was the old man in his unit that day. This'll be the last chance for an anny that ends in '0' for these guys.....

[Ready4Freddy]

Meant to say "My sisters & I and a few other family members are accompanying my uncle to Normandie ....

[Servant of the 9]

...... jumped into Normandy in 1994 on the 50th anniversary of D-Day.

That time, President Bill Clinton gave the ultimate approval that allowed 38 veterans to jump near Ste.-Mere-Eglise, the D-Day objective of the 82nd Airborne Division.

He only gave his permission after the vets anounced they were jumping and the Air Force would have to shoot them down to stop them.

So9

[OldFriend]

Honor us by staying well and telling the story for all to hear.

[cpdiii]

"Naaa, they just don't want the younger Euro women to learn what their Grandmothers learned about American Paratroopers."

Perhaps they are their Grandfathers :)

[cpdiii]

LET THEM JUMP!!!!!!!! It is their choice and they have damn well earned the right to do it. They were magnificent men during the invasion of Normandy and are great men today. They deserve the opportunity to do it.

[Psycho_Bunny]

This is a perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: 

Give these Old-School Asskickers all the firepower they can carry and let them parachute into Fallujah.