Compeau had been stationed at Fort Bragg during his six years of service in the 1980s. After a phone call to Sen. John Hoeven’s office, arrangements were made to fulfill his final wishes.

At a memorial service for Compeau held on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Eric Spicer, an Army chaplain, explained to his fellow paratroopers why their jump that day wasn’t simply business as usual.

“Today we have a very special honor. We have Specialist Vincent Compeau jumping with us today. This will be his final jump,” Spicer said, “He will spend his forever on this drop zone. 201 will exit today, 200 of us will leave the drop zone. He is staying here.”

Spicer personally carried Compeau’s ashes with him on his last journey up and down before delivering him to his resting place. Hoeven met with Cindy Compeau last week to inform her of the acceptance of Vincent’s request, after receiving assistance from 82nd Airborne Division Commander Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve.

“We are grateful every day for the hard work and sacrifice of our state’s veterans, like Vincent Compeau, to defend our nation,” said Hoeven. “This jump was not only Vincent’s final wish, but serves as a cherished moment for his loved ones that honors his life and memory. We appreciate the U.S. Army, Maj. Gen. LaNeve and Lt. Col. Spicer for helping make this request a reality.”