billo 0 #1 July 28, 2004 These guys came and jumped with us this past Sunday. Kept the place pretty busy since our 182 is temporarily grounded, so we had to put them all out of the 206 (article misquoted it as a 210). http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040726/NEWS08/407260353&SearchID=73179028682602 These guys brought plenty of stories to share about the old days of jumping, along with lots of photo albums to help stir up the memories. You could see their minds thinking back as they would flip through the pages of the albums...thinking happy thoughts when glancing at the european women they partied with after the war, and thinking thoughts of disgust when looking at the pictures they snapped when going through concentration camps or mass graves. The website of their unit isn't that bad of a read - www.currahee.hispeed.com It's wild to think where our sport would be today if it wasn't for these guys back when parachuting techonlogy was being pioneered by mass numbers! b Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base311 0 #2 July 28, 2004 I recently had the distinct honor of meeting Bill Coleman (101st Airborne, D-day minus one). Saw the video of his commemorative jump with the other guys on the load. He is as spry as many younger folks I know (and in better shape than most, probably), and I snickered when he called squares "sissy chutes". He called me nuts when others mentioned my BASE exploits to him. Really great guy. Also had the pleasure of meeting Col. Joe Kittinger, another great, jovial, life-loving gentleman. He and his wife are great! I was most honored and awed. Needless to say I got my logbooks bounceproofed. Gardner Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
