This year marks the 60th anniversary of the World War II invasion of the Normandy coast by Allied forces, an event that history records as "D-Day" and one that will be marked by flight experiences for local aviation enthusiasts throughout this spring at the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport, thanks to the efforts of Angelo Tricarico of Massapequa.

"The liberation of France began with thousands of paratroopers jumping from hundreds of unarmed C-47 transports in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944. Their courage began to kick down the door of Fortress Europe and paved the way for the amphibious assault that followed," explained Tricarico, one of the volunteers who helps lead "civilians" through what it must have been like in those transports crossing the English Channel.

Already dozens of people have participated in this unique and moving "Airborne flight experience" that is unprecedented anywhere in the nation. After a $250 tax deductible museum donation, donors are instructed to report to the museum's 1940 hangar complex prior to their flight where they are met by an Airborne living historian. They are provided with repro period uniforms that include a heavily modified parachute harness attached with Velcro. They are also given the identity of a trooper who actually flew the mission on June 6, 1944.

When they are suited up they are escorted to the briefing room where they sit on wooden benches surrounded by Airborne reenactors and period maps. The donors are then given instructions on their drop zone, equipment and identification aids (such as those now legendary 'clickers') for use when forming up beside French hedgerows. It all sets the stage for their flight time. The "stick" is formed up and marched out to the museum's waiting C-47 where paratrooper seating is still in place and a static line has been reinstalled. No one is going to jump on this flight over Jones Beach, but you wouldn't know it.

As the C-47 taxis out, one of the museum's fighters may also be prepared to fly loose escort or a visiting P-51 Mustang might be prepared to provide "air cover." In gear, and waiting for take off, flight experience participants might see a period staff car go by, and in it, a reenactor who looks like General Dwight Eisenhower. A Red Cross aide waves from the fence line to those peering out of the aircraft's windows.

And suddenly, the aircraft is rolling toward take off and the time for reflection is over. Sitting across from Airborne living historians, the donor hears the forced banter from Airborne living historians that was part of the chatter in the same C-47 over 60 years ago. And there--up ahead--is the beach. But this isn't Normandy. It's the south shore beaches of Long Island, and we are now running parallel to the shore as the jumpmaster shouts the command, "Stand up! Check equipment! Hook up!" over the roar of the radials. Not to worry. It's just part of the rehearsal, but the airborne reenactors struggle to their feet loaded down with gear, repro weapons and chutes. The mouths of those experiencing this for the first time drop wide open.

For the World War II living historian community, this effort is the doctorate program in reenacting. Tricarico and others created much of the living history scenario and coordinated the effort with Airborne reenactors who arrive at the museum from homes throughout Long Island.

"This is a profoundly moving experience, both for the participants and the Airborne living historian. Just struggling into the gear and hoisting yourself on board the airplane provides you with a sense of what it must have been like," explains Tricarico. "But more importantly we look to engage each 'civilian' as part of the 'stick' so that they get a genuine feel for what it must have been like including those bonds of brotherhood that existed among the troops."

Entire families have signed up as museum members in order to be able to fly together and experience what this portion of D-Day must have been like the morning of June 6, 1944. To become eligible for the flight experience, go to the museum's web site at www.americanairpowermuseum.com, or call (212) 843-8010.