Local Reenacts D-Day Jumps with WWII Airborne Demonstration Team

JESSICA COURTER

"Both Jessica and Alyssa," said Jessica's father Anthony Courter, "have accomplished more in life than most of the modern day male even thinks could possibly happen." His endearing sense of pride stems from his daughter's ability to lean to have a "vision beyond today."

Mr. Courter has numerous reasons to brag on his daughter and her team, but this time is particularly special, he says, "as both of these girls are critical to the success of the social media group, Remembering WWII: Living History, Education and Honor. Without their vision, energy, and talent, there would not be an event to honor the Greatest Generation."

Jessica, with the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team, made several jumps from the D-Day Squadron and Aero Legends C-47s, departing from Cherbourg - Maupertus Airport to several Drop-zone locations in Normandy, June 4, 2024.

Jump ships were: Aero Legend "Pegasus (G-ANAF)/Drag-Em-Oot (N473DC) and DDS "That's All, Brother"( N47TB)/"Placid Lassie" ( N74589).

Additional jump teams were: The Liberty Jump team, Round Canopy Parachute Team - USA, All Airborne Battalion, Phantom Airborne Brigade, X-35, Parachute Group Holland and some of the original cast of Band of Brothers.

Not only did she parachute in, she also followed the steps of the family's dear friend, Don Jakeway, with the 82nd Airborne from the tree he landed in on June 6th, 1944, to some of his battle ground spots.

"I'm trying to wrap my mind around the events," said Jessica. "The memories are so fresh and raw. I've struggled with the need to share and the urge to keep it deep within my soul. It seems too sacred to share on a public scale, but in the end, this story isn't just about me - it's the intertwining of generation and continents."

She begins, "for those of you who don't know my story, I reenact 82nd and jump out of planes because of two people - my Dad, Anthony, and Don Jakeway. My dad taught me to not only love history, but to love bringing it to life. Don was an 82nd man who jumped into Normandy on D-day. I have often wondered why Don made such an impression on me.

I grew up meeting WWII vets, spending time with them and hearing their stories. I have met many incredible men. But Don was different for me. He wasn't just a veteran of WWII, he was my friend. He was kind and generous and yes, his story is incredible, but his character and friendship is what takes him into the next league. I met him at the Show of Shows in KY, ran into him at the 70th anniversary in Normandy 10 years ago, visited with him in Ohio on numerous occasions and he even came to TN to visit my family once. I wanted him to pin my wings on at graduation but sadly my class was delayed due to covid and he passed away. All this said, one of my desires was to retrace some of his steps in Normandy. Thanks to my Dad & Mark Easton, I had the starting point to locate Don's landing spot.

On the morning of the sixth, a friend picked me up and we set out. I had been worried about the traffic, but thankfully Don had the common sense to drop far away from the commotion. Seriously though, the morning was incredibly peaceful. It's felt like a pilgrimage of sorts. We found the small town of St. Clair and shortly afterwards the church & the tree.

Eighty years ago Don jumped into Normandy and was one of the first of the Allied troops to touch French soil. He landed in a tree and got stuck and here I was 80 years later at the very tree with all my memories of Don, my experience jumping out of C-47s and the knowledge that this tranquil churchyard was a war zone exactly eighty years ago. Someone had left flowers at the base of the tree. I wept. Providentially the neighbor saw us visiting and came over. She didn't speak English, but we managed to communicate that I had been friends with Don and she said was the one who placed the flowers at the tree. She offered to open the church and let me inside, which I gratefully accepted. How incredible that she saw us there and was so kind to let us in.

On our way to the next stop, we happened to pass the memorial garden to the C-47. I am rather partial to the bird, so we stopped in for a minute. It was such a fun surprise to find. From there, we went to the memorial wall for Hill 30. Don's name is inscribed on the wall and once again, a chance encounter led me to Marie, daughter of Lucian Hasley, who had the memorial built and who had also met Don. It was very special to meet her there. The final stop for the day was the 82nd Memorial and right across the street was the memorial for the 508th, Don's unit. There are more places I'd like to go following his steps, but those are all I could fit in. We took a walk down some little french roads before I had to head back to the chateau for the afternoon jump.

We geared up. I wore my 82nd uniform and tucked away several photos of Don including my last photo with him before he passed. Upon arrival at the airport, manifest was called - and as if the day could not be better, I was on That's All Brother, the lead aircraft for the Normandy invasion. I was 3rd plane, stick 1, jumper 2 jumping into Graignes. My stick was let out too early and I had a historically accurate landing nowhere near my DZ. Quite honestly, the hill I landed on was much more scenic than the intended DZ. I had to run with the wind a bit to clear several barb wire fences, a road and tree line, but I managed to miss all the cows and cow dung and have a safe landing, so it was a tremendous success.

I was able to watch the second stick float down and land in the field below me. It seemed a bit like a dream. There was a frenchman on the hill with me who came over and told me his father had been a radio operator in the French Resistance and had coordinated supply drops during the war. Yet again, another encounter that made the day extra special.

The day ended by walking up to our chateau and seeing the sky full of stars It was a fitting close to one of the most incredible days I have ever experienced. I am deeply, deeply grateful. Thank you to my team, WWII Airborne Demonstration Team, and all the other people who have poured into my life to bring me here. I will never forget this trip. Airborne!"