From the moment I arrived at the Eindhoven airfield this morning, it was a special day! In the hours before the take-off I had the unique opportunity to get to know the men of the ADT and to learn some of their special stories. Terry Poyser, a Vallejo police officer, showed me the pictures of two 506th F-company men: Bob Janes and Ken Hull. He carries their pictures on the Veghel jump! That's Terry's way of keeping the recollection alive .(2) And the story of 82nd Vietnam veteran Jerry Gomes. He made his last jump over in Turkey in 1970 (!) and joined the ADT some weeks before the Normandy jump in june. Hell, he even got rid of his beard (which he had for over 20 years!) for that occasion! Jerry makes the jump today together with his son! Surely that must make mrs. Kay Gomes one proud wife and mother! Jerry jumps with scarf made of a piece of the parachute used by Jim Norene 502nd (3) on his jump in september 1944 in Son. Jerry will take the scarf back to Jim in Happner Oregon and. he also will take an 'original Son-potato' back to the States.

As 'Fifi Kate' reached the dropzone at Veghel the pilot, at the request of the jumpmaster, 1st sergeant Richard Wolf, had to make a turn to fly in again. Since the wind was very strong the plane had to be in the just position over the meadows of Veghel. And after the 'stand up, hook up' and 'equipment-check' the men of the ADT were ready to go. Then capt. J.P. (4), the first man to go, out called 'follow me' and off they went, 12 men in less then 7 seconds! After a turn and the next approach of the LZ the 2nd. stick got out also in a very fast and disciplined way. Although I've not been around in 1944 I guess this is as close as You can get! Just f...... great! After the last man was out the pilote made a turn and then surprised the watching crowd on the ground and us with a fly-by at 300m. Yee! Then it was time to return to Eindhoven and we (5) had some moments to enjoy the Dutch landscape through the missing door of the Dakota. At the airbase I assisted 1st sergeant Wolf with collecting all the static lines, and after a short conversation (I'm really thinking about that invitation!) we said goodbye. So, looking back at this great experience, I would like to thank Alexander Omhof for this opportunity and of course a 'Thank You' for all the ADT-men! And who knows, perhaps we'll meet someday in Oklahoma next year !!!

Marcel 'jumpy' Jungbauer - Member of the Screaming Ducks