University of Guam Professor and U.S. Army Veteran Dr. Mary Kate Soliva expresses the honor that she feels to have been selected to be a part of the first all woman Normandy jump, commemorating the anniversary of World War II D-Day landings.

“This is the 82nd anniversary of D-Day which will be taking place in Normandy, France. This is the first time there is an airborne jump with women pilots, women jump masters and women paratroopers and so out of the selection of women I was asked just this past fall,when I was attending the military and influencer conference to be a part of this by the infamous Toni Lavery, she is the founder of Fox Force Five and it was incredible to get asked to join my special operation sisters, but also those who are first responders as well and its to honor the legacy of women who contributed during WWII,” said Soliva.

KUAM asked Soliva what crossed her mind during the jump. What she shared was not just about the experience, but about history, survival, and family.

“You are trusting you’re equipment, you’re trusting those who are in the air with you, but for the legacy of my grandmother especially, I definitely think about her and I think about what it must have been like once my chute opens and I am looking around, I do think about what that must have been like to be shot at, to know that there’s enemy on the ground who want to go after you and it's this surreal feeling to be able to carry this legacy for and the meaning of it,” said Soliva.

“When you look at Guam history and we know that there were five known comfort houses on island during the Japanese occupation here in Guam, and there’s a story of my great grandmother having covered my grandmother in chicken manure to make her look sickly and less desirable to the Japanese soldiers at the time who often frequented the ranch for food at the time. And so being able to, can't even comprehend the amount of fear that must have gone on and every day being survivable, but also recognizing that the women contributed so much here in Guam and in the region not negating the contributions of women and the becomings of the northern Marianas as well, but specifically for my jump really recognizing The contributions my grandmother, great grandmother, and the women from Guam,” she added.

Today, we shared part of Soliva's story, tomorrow the rest of her powerful story.