Veteran Reenacts D‑Day Jump at 97: WWII Hero Donald Poole Soars Over Normandy
Don Poole, a 97-year-old veteran from Iowa, made his first-ever parachute jump this June — and he chose a place filled with history and heartache: Normandy, France. While Don himself never jumped in combat, this act was a tribute to his late brother, a WWII paratrooper who did.
With Warrior Rising by his side, Don soared over the same French fields that saw the liberation of Europe 81 years ago — not as an actor, but as a brother honoring a legacy.
In an interview with We Are Iowa, Poole shared:
“If anything happens, I’ve lived 97 years. But this is for him.”
His calm resolve and reverence brought an emotional pause to everyone present. This wasn’t just a jump — it was a moment nearly a century in the making.
Context & Legacy
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Don’s Military Service: Though he served during WWII, Don never saw combat. His military path was different, but deeply rooted in sacrifice and service.
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Family History: His older brother served as a paratrooper, jumping into Europe as Allied forces advanced. He didn’t make it home.
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Why Normandy?: For Don, this wasn’t about thrill — it was about tribute. It was about keeping a promise made through time, memory, and blood.
Warrior Rising’s Role
This experience was made possible through the support of Warrior Rising and its donors. As part of a larger trip to honor D-Day and celebrate living veterans, the organization made sure Don’s jump wasn’t just possible — it was powerful.
“Warrior Rising exists to empower veterans to find new purpose. This trip reminded us that sometimes, that purpose begins with remembering.”
This is the power of remembrance. Help us make more moments like this possible.
About Warrior Rising
Founded in 2015, Warrior Rising is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to transforming veterans into successful entrepreneurs. The organization provides veterans with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to launch and grow their businesses. Warrior Rising has helped create and fund over 100 veteran-owned businesses, and since inception, has assisted more than 30,000 with is programs, and continues to expand its impact through its innovative Veteran Business Showers. For more information about Warrior Rising and its initiatives, please visit our website at: www.WarriorRising.org and connect with us on Linkedin and check out some amazing stories on our Youtube Channel.
