KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On June 2, 2026, eight women veterans, first responders and those in law enforcement or with intelligence backgrounds will deploy from a single C-47 aircraft into Normandy, France, for a first-ever, women-only jump. The “chalk” commemorates D-Day and recognizes the often-overlooked role of women in the World War II resistance movement.
Organized by the nonprofit Fox Force Foundation, a veteran-led organization advancing women’s leadership and resilience, the static-line jump is symbolic of the infiltration by female wartime operatives and resistance fighters behind enemy lines.
“We see, remember and honor the women who risked everything for the cause of freedom in World War II,” said Toni Lavery, founder and executive director of Fox Force, and a U.S. Army veteran. “With this jump we also look to the future as Fox Force participants around the world share the same desire to KEEP SERVING. That is one of the many things that brought us together with the VFW.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars launched its Still Serving campaign in 2020 to highlight how America’s veterans continue to serve in their local communities after transitioning from the military. Carol Whitmore, the VFW’s first woman commander-in-chief, will be parachuting for the first time, in tandem with Accelerated Freefall (AFF) and Tandem Instructor, Daina Tubbs, on June 3, also into Normandy and in commemoration of D-Day and the bravery of that war’s female resistance fighters.
“I am honored and grateful to be alongside these women warriors to commemorate the heroes who came before us and inspired the next generations,” said Whitmore. “The VFW is proud to support Fox Force not only as title sponsor of its historic commemorative parachute jump into Normandy but in recognition of how the missions of our two organizations are aligned. Fox Force and VFW both are invested in supporting and advancing women veterans everywhere.”
For many of the women including Whitmore the chalks will be their first jump but, they’re used to firsts. Their shared grit, commitment, bravery and dedication to the mission drive their ongoing work to recognize, support and equip women everywhere.