During World War II, Richard “Red” Falvey jumped out of a plane in service to his country on D-Day and as part of Operation Market Garden.  On Saturday, August 13, 2011, Red Falvey will once again jump out of a plane, but this time it is part of an event to honor his life.  To commemorate his 90^th birthday, Red Falvey will be parachuting in tandem with Ranger Group Parachute Team member and veteran Mike Elliott, onto the Army Heritage Trail.  Six other members of the parachute team will accompany Red and Mike during their descent to the USAHEC grounds. The event is being sponsored by the Army Heritage Center Foundation in association with the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

In addition to the jump, the morning’s program features the 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment re-enactment group, the unit in which Red Falvey served, inhabiting the buildings and conducting educational programs at the Army Heritage Trail World War II Core Area.  They will highlight the history of the unit through a display of uniforms, equipment and weapons, also discussing Red Falvey’s life, with particular emphasis on his World War II service.  Inside the USAHEC facility, BG (Ret) Harold Nelson, former Chief of Military History at the Center of Military History, will present a lecture entitled, "Development of US Army Airborne Capabilities and WWII Airborne Operations."  BG Nelson will use books, manuscripts and manuals from the USAHEC collection to discuss the evolution of airborne operations during World War II. 

All USAHEC sponsored programs are free and open to the public.  For more information about the event, visit the USAHEC website at www.usahec.org or call 717-245-3972.