Normandy Jump 2019 Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day
As a photojournalist for Homeland Magazine & San Diego Veterans Magazine, through the years I’ve had the honor to meet and write about our veterans, giving reverence to our “Greatest Generation.” For it was these ordinary men that became extraordinary heroes and saved the world.
I was on assignment with Homeland/San Diego Veterans Magazine at the 2018 Planes Of Fame (POF) Air Show in Chino, CA. My objective was to interview and document the remaining WWII veterans at the “Veteran’s History Project” tent.
My name is CJ Machado, patriot to the flag and to those who fought to preserve it, to those who died to protect it.
Serendipitously, Normandy veteran, C-53D Skytrooper, D-Day Doll and the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team (ADT) re-created a WWII parachute drop. WWII medic, Ed “Doc” Pepping from the 101st Airborne Division, was one of the spectators. “Doc” Parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and worked alongside medics, Robert Wright and Willard Moore at the aid station set up in the 11th century church at Augoville-au-Plain. They saved close to a hundred lives, both soldiers and civilians alike, including wounded German soldiers.
CJ Machado & Colonel Tim Tarris, USAF, Retired This is a recount of how the largest living historical event of our lifetime, the 75th anniversary of D-Day was able to be documented on film. “Libertas” is the first in the three-part Normandy Jump 2019 documentary series. The film title was inspired by our nation’s Statue of Liberty. A gift from the people of France to the people of America in celebration of our unity and allegiance to democracy. “Libertas” is Latin for the word liberty and is the Roman goddess and personification of liberty.
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WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2019
Ninety-six year-old Pepping was so impressed at ADT’s demonstration, he waited for the Team to return from Jump ops. Then “Doc” Pepping thanked every & Franky Ortega ADT member for remembering and honoring his service through their public presentation. According to the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs, we are losing over three hundred WWII veterans every day. The time will come when none will remain and only their memories of dedicated service will be left for us to remember and pass on to the next generation.