In an awe-inspiring display that's one part history lesson and two parts Congressional therapy session, nine members of the House of Representatives, all military veterans, took to the skies over Normandy to recreate the heroic parachute jump by U.S. troops that marked the D-Day invasion 80 years ago. This isn't the plot of a quirky political satire—you really couldn't make this up. The event was organized by Rep. Mike Waltz, a man so decorated that his medals probably have their own medals—he's got a Bronze Star, you see source: ABC.

Waltz led this elite group of jumpers that included Reps. Derrick Van Orden, Keith Self, Darrell Issa, Rich McCormick, Ronny Jackson, Mark Green, Cory Mills, Jason Crow, and Dan Crenshaw source: New York Post. Dressed in World War II khaki uniforms, paratrooper helmets, and boots that probably made them thankful for modern ergonomic design, they bore patches of the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions and looked the part—even if some had a bit more legislative padding than actual combat weight source: ABC.

Rep. Jason Crow, waxing poetic, remarked on the importance of honoring veterans and how America shines its brightest when united under a common cause source: New York Post. Meanwhile, Darrell Issa noted the urgency of pushing back tyranny, echoing sentiments likely borrowed from recent Presidential speeches, perhaps for political mileage source: New York Post.

Yes, the jump was done to honor World War II veterans, not just to satisfy a midlife crisis or a viral TikTok challenge. And it was especially poignant for being likely one of the last major anniversary events with surviving veterans, the youngest among them being 96 years old and the oldest, bless him, 107 source: ABC.

Safety was, understandably, a concern. GOP leadership was worried—after all, losing members to parachute accidents isn't the typical way Congressional seats come up for grabs. Waltz, reassuring House Speaker Mike Johnson, promised that the parachutes were new. One imagines they were less assured by the fact he didn’t add, "We tested them yesterday" source: New York Post.

Interestingly, this isn't the first rodeo—or jump—for either Crow or Waltz. They reenacted the parachute jump over Normandy with French paratroopers during the 75th anniversary of D-Day source: ABC. Consider it an anniversary tradition that beats the heck out of awkwardly sitting through a nostalgic slideshow.

And what did they see, you ask? A beautiful landscape, remarked Waltz. So peaceful that you'd almost forget you were mere meters above history-infused sands source: ABC.

Beyond honorifics and fresh air, the reenactment served a alchemical purpose: to unite the raucously divided 118th Congress, which has seen more infighting than a reality TV show reunion special. This collective leap into history might just be the proverbial "come to Jesus" moment this team of policymakers needed source: New York Post.

So, while our elected officials worry about budgets, laws, and international relations, it’s refreshing to remember that sometimes, they also have to worry about the finer details—like not landing in a field of metaphorical red tape. Feathers in their caps, literal and figurative, these nine representatives returned not just as lawmakers, but as members of a very elite, very airborne club. And most importantly, alive.