Bonaire man plans to reenact D-Day jump

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – June 6th, 1944–a big day in World War II history known as D-Day.

It’s a day that one Bonaire man hopes no one will forget.

He’s taking to the skies to be sure everyone is reminded about what happened that day.

Jim Micko is an army reservist, and has extensive experience parachuting.

Now, along with his jump team, he’ll be doing the D-Day jump to honor those who fought before him.

“We’re here today in a free world because of what they did,” said Micko.

And for Jim Micko, that’s worth everything.

“They’ll be up there looking at us, you know, that’s what we did 70 years ago,” said Micko.

June 6th, 1944.

“Showing the sacrifice that they made 70 years ago, we feel we can teach the younger generation a little more about what happened,” said Micko.

American paratroopers dropped in to France as a part of Operation Overlord in World War II–known in history as D-Day.

“The outcome was not guaranteed that we would win the war,” said Micko.

Brave men fought.

“The sacrifice they made in order to take Europe back from Hitler, was just tremendous,” said Micko.

In honor of those men, Micko will reenact the jump paratroopers made into France as the anniversary of D-Day nears.

“The airplane we’re going to be jumping is called a W7, it’s an actual veteran of D-Day, it flew in the invasion dropping paratroopers,” said Micko.

His gear will also mimic what troops wore.

“This particular jumpsuit is called 1942 jumpsuit,” said Micko. “It was typical issue at the time of D-Day.”

All to remember the sacrifice.

“These guys that are still alive are not going to be around too much longer. and that’s who we’re doing it for, the veterans that are of course already gone, but the ones that are still there. (This will) probably be the last trip they’re ever going to be able to make because if they’re not 90, they’re pushing their nineties now,” said Micko.

They’ll be waiting when Micko lands.

“I’m sure what they’ll be thinking is, I’m just glad somebody remembers about what we did, and why we did it,” said Micko.

We won’t forget.

Micko is leaving Sunday for France.
   
Liberty Jump Team will be doing four different jumps during the week.

Micko said troopers wore nearly 150 pounds of gear jumping during World War II.

He said he won’t be wearing all that, but he’ll get as close as he can get to the real thing.