Meredith does a tandem parachute jump on Bastille Day 2024! 😬

I did it! Age 72!
This was in honor of Operational Group PAT, an OSS stick who parachuted into the Tarn on Aug 7, 1944 on a secret mission to help the Resistance and sabotage the Nazi reaction to the major Allied landing in Provence on Aug 15th.
Fifteen OSS commandos jumped by moonlight into Occupied France, not knowing WHO awaited them on the ground. They had been in the Sterling Bomber for four hours--a long journey from their base in Blida, Algeria.
It was a low altitude jump and one of the team broke his leg, landing awkwardly on his gun. He was sidelined from the rest of the mission, hidden in a chateau belonging to the head of the Maquis of Vabre, the Resistance group in charge of the dropzone.
Another, the medic, landed on a tree, injuring himself as he dropped down through the branches.
Within four days, two of the other men were killed in action, during an ambush of a German patrol.
So that is what real courage looks like.
Those OSS men played a major role in the LIBERATION of the TARN--and not only that,
over 4000 Nazi occupation forces were captured and taken prisoner here--unlike in most other departments, where the enemy exfiltrated and lived to fight another day.
All the OG PAT men are honored every year in solemn ceremonies here in the Tarn organized by French veterans.
This year marked the 80th anniversary of the OSS PAT Mission.
Over 20 American family members related to the OSS team made the journey here to bear witness.
This jump had been planned to happen during their visit, with many of the visiting Amerians taking part. Unfortunately, poor weather conditions cancelled the jump.
On Bastille Day, July 14th, 2024, I finally completed this mission of remembrance.
Merci to my monitor, Tony. 😘
Thanks to the Parachute Club in Albi: www.fun-parach...
Thanks to Cyril Pefaure, the French veteran who organized the group jump.
(Don't tell my cardiologist that I did it after all!)
For more on the story of OG PAT: www.ossreborn....

[@HesterTingey]

Well done, dear Meredith! You are very inspiring!

[@dennismorys7682]

Wow. I've done a lot of crazy things in my life but you wouldn't get me up there. Congratulations.

[@ArleneRose1]

Well done my friend. Crazy and exciting.

[@beatricepapi1687]

Oh Meredith, congratulations! What an adventure! 🪂💓

[@ericruffat5067]

😍