Good Article: Knights, Celebs and Leaders To Jump At Skydive Chicago

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From the Daily Herald

Why mayor is taking a flying leap

By Amy McLaughlin Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted 8/19/2004

This Saturday, Arlington Heights Village President Arlene J. Mulder will make her leap into politics seem sort of tame.

Mulder, 59, will try skydiving in downstate Ottawa with members of the U.S. Army.

"If former President Bush can do it for his 80th birthday, I suppose I can do it," Mulder said. "I feel very safe."

She'll be one of several business leaders, politicians and celebrities participating in a series of jumps Saturday and Sunday at Skydive Chicago's facility in Ottawa.

Bill Kelo, advertising and public affairs chief with the U.S. Army's Chicago recruiting battalion, said a team from the Army's Golden Knights will conduct the jumps.

Other jumpers include Bill Rancic, Donald Trump's "Apprentice" from the reality show of the same name; NBC-TV reporter Phil Rogers and officials from several Chicago-area companies like Walgreen Co. and Leo Burnett.

A member of the Golden Knights will be harnessed to each participant during the jump, Kelo said. Mulder said her jump will start at 13,000 feet and it will be a free fall until 4,000 feet when the chute will open.

Another team of Golden Knights will participate in this weekend's Chicago Air and Water Show. Kelo said it is a fun way to "get the Army out in front of the public" and increase its exposure to local community and business leaders.

Mulder said she has a special relationship with the military, particularly the U.S. Army. She's taken a ride in a KC 131, a U.S. Air Force refueling plane, and has visited various military recruitment centers.
She's also active with the U.S. Army's reserve base in Arlington Heights.

Mulder said officials have noticed a renewed interest in young people enlisting in the military out of high school. Because of that, Arlington Heights officials decided last year to honor two years of active duty in lieu of a two-year college degree for entry-level police officers.

For Mulder, this will be her first try at skydiving.
"I'm both excited and a bit nervous. I'm just hoping for a happy landing," she said.

© Copyright 2004 Daily Herald