D-Day reenactors perform a parachute drop along Purple

D-Day reenactors perform a parachute drop along Purple Heart Lane from a vintage C-47 Skytrain in Carentan, France, on June 2, 2017. Purple Heart Lane is a nickname for Highway N13 used by American soldiers and historians to denote a battlefield on which Lt. Col. Robert G. Cole and his troops of the 101st Airborne Division fought during the Battle of Normandy in World War II. This event commemorates the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national amphibious landing and operational military airdrop in history, and highlights the U.S.' steadfast commitment to European allies and partners. Overall, approximately 400 U.S. service members from units in Europe and the U.S. are participating in ceremonial D-Day 73 events from May 31 to June 7, 2017. (DOD photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John M. Hageman/Released)