George H.W.'s parachute jump with video

[Bob Of Burleson]

VIDEO

Former President George H.W. Bush makes
parachute jump, his 8th, on his 90th birthday

DAVID SHARP

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (AP)— Former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 90th birthday on Thursday by making a tandem parachute jump near his summer home, fulfilling a goal he made five years ago after a similar jump even though he can no longer use his legs.

The nation's 41st president jumped from a helicopter at about 6,000 feet while harnessed to retired Sgt. 1st Class Mike Elliott, a former member of the Golden Knights, the Army's parachute team, who guided Bush to a safe landing on his 85th birthday.

"That's what he wanted for his 90th birthday and that's what he got," Elliott said. "It's a very good feeling to be involved and be able to turn back time."

The helicopter picked up Bush outside his home in Kennebunkport, in coastal Maine. His family sang "Happy Birthday" to him as he was transported him from his wheelchair to the chopper.

Bush floated to the ground under a red, white and blue parachute and landed on the lawn of St. Ann's Episcopal Church, where several hundred friends and relatives had gathered. Elliott said Bush's foot got tangled up underneath him during the landing, causing him to tumble forward onto the ground. A spokesman later said the former president was feeling "fine."

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[BigTex]

Mission Accomplished

[planosteve]

Maybe it will jog his memory so he can tell us where he was the day JFK bit the dust.

[ann jusko]

I have a friend who lost both legs in Granada (due to friendly fire). He has no structure left to even use prosthetic legs. He was Airborne. He's made a few jumps with the Canadians and a few with private enterprises. He'd go again in a minute! I swear he's not disabled but is "otherly abled". He refuses to use an electric wheel chair even though VA will provide it. They have a small farm in Bandera and he feeds the animals and cares for them. He's a wonderful chef, historian, poet and the most well rounded man I've ever met. He does the grocery shopping, picks up his daughter at school each day, etc. His Ford 150 has a lift for his wheel chair. It's an amazing process....he wheels to his truck, pulls himself up to the cab, activates the lift and he's off. I'm excited because "Concrete Angels" will be putting in concrete "paths" for him to get to the barn, the utility shed, etc. They had terrible storms last night and the "paths" aren't in,yet, so it will be tough going for him today. But he'll get it all done, I have no doubt. His wife works as a social worker and is an actress/singer. Because of Harry, I've realized the importance of people not using the "van equipped" handicap parking because of his lift needing the extra room (if they don't need it).

[knotlazy]

Thanks for sharing the story of your friend, Ann. Very inspiring.

I'm thankful GHWB landed safely. Wonder what Barbara said when he told her he wanted to jump again.

[bodine]

Ann, is there a real organization called "Concrete Angels" or are your referring to nice, local folks who are helping.

I like volunteering where the main focus is on providing labor; I'm generally good at that...

[Bob Of Burleson]

Did you watch the video? The parachutes of today are almost as amazing as a 90-year-old skydiving. George H.W. and his coach seems to be paragliding.

[knotlazy]

Ann, is there a real organization called "Concrete Angels" or are your referring to nice, local folks who are helping.

I like volunteering where the main focus is on providing labor; I'm generally good at that...

Like...

[knotlazy]

Did you watch the video? The parachutes of today are almost as amazing as a 90-year-old skydiving. George H.W. and his coach seems to be paragliding.

Obviously he was well taken care of...as he should have been.

I knew he was using a wheel chair....but I've never read why he can no longer use his legs. Anyone know?

[bodine]

From a Parade magazine online article...

"They call it vascular Parkinsonism," Bush told Parade magazine in an interview to be published Sunday. "It just affects the legs. It's not painful. You tell your legs to move, and they don't move. It's strange, but if you have to have some bad-sounding disease, this is a good one to get."