Recent website additions: Sospel 1944 and 2008 Pvt. Richard Whidden, D Company Col de Braus battle - 64th anniversary Sospel 1943 and now 3rd Annual 517th Commemorative March, August 2008 Visit to Southern France 2008 with Ignatius Bail, 460th PFAB

Dear 517th PRCT Veterans, Family, & Friends,

As we all know a very special anniversary date is approaching this coming year.  On August 15, 2009, it will mark the 65th Anniversary of Operation Dragoon and the famous combat jump that the brave men of the 517th PRCT made.  This jump was the most successful jump operation of WWII and it can be attributed to the heroes of the 517th PRCT.  The jump was the backbone of the Southern France Invasion that has always been cast in the shadows of the Normandy Invasion and the Fall of Rome. 

Military Guru's, historians, and joe the citizen barely speak about the great endeavor called Operation Dragoon.  Men of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions keep on receiving honors and commemorations for their participation in Operation Overlord year after year.  I have even participated in two jump operations dedicated to these men in Normandy 2004 and 2006.  Never has an American Jump Team jumped onto the same sacred grounds as the 517th did back on August 15, 1944.  They deserve the honors and should be commemorated in the same way!

The Commemorative Airborne Jump Team has jumped in honor and commemoration of the 517th PRCT during their National Reunions in 2007 and again in 2008.  It would definitely be a great honor for us to jump in Southern France this coming August in what will be a huge celebration marking 65 years of freedom, giving to the French people by the men of the 517th PRCT.

It is our teams mission to honor these great WWII Airborne Veterans and it would be a dream come true for our team to have the privilege to jump onto the same soil as they did so many years ago, especially on such an important date.  Please check out our team website for past pictures with our heroes of the 517th.

If anyone within the 517th Association, Auxiliary, Families, and especially our French and European Friends have any input or would like to help us on tackling this great endeavor, please contact our team so we can get this C47 rolling down the runway!  It will take dedication from both sides of the pond and our team has some great ideas, we just need some great contacts to work with.  I know there are several organizations and units within that region that participate in yearly celebrations, maybe they could help.

We would like to jump near Le Muy and/or Draguignan!  Please help us get that "green light".

Corey Mace
Commemorative Airborne Jump Team
jumpmastercajt@yahoo.com
http://cajt.wordpress.com/

 Ben,