steve1 5 #26 August 7, 2002 Great pictures, Chuck. I'm going to feel really stupid asking this, because I may be way off. But years ago I remember reading article after article in Parachutist about a Golden Knight who I believe was also in Special Forces. I think it was Tony's dad. The rumor going around back in the 70's was that he had a teenage son who died skydiving. (I hope that part of it was a rumor.) At any rate my memory is about shot, but I'm still curious if any of this is accurate. Maybe I'm thinking of someone else. Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #27 August 8, 2002 Steve, the father you speak of is Gene Paul Thacker. Yes, he is an original Golden Knight; yes, he was a Special Forces E8; yes, one of his sons died skydiving. The son was Paul Keith Thacker who died practicing for the 1976 nationals. Tony is the oldest living son, and it's he and his wife Kate that now run the "sport" side of operations at Raeford. GPT still owns the CASA and one Otter, which he flies military contract stuff with. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #28 August 8, 2002 Chuck, Over the years I've often thought about Mr. Thacker's loss when his son died. It would be hard not to blame yourself if you were the one who kindled his interest in skydiving. When I first heard this story in the 70's it made us all sick. Now that I'm getting my own daughters into the sport, I sometimes think about how awful it would be to have one of them go in. I think I'd probably feel like crawling into a hole and never coming out. Gene Thacker must be made out of tougher stuff than I am. I've always admired his ability as a skydiver, and that he was in Special Forces. Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #29 August 9, 2002 Gene Paul Thacker is a great man. He has gone to great measures to help people on more than one occasion, and continues to be a gracious host for all that join us at Raeford for skydives and Southern hospitality. Miss Billie, his lovely wife, gets to be mentioned here because of her role in caring for all of us, especially those of us who were on the Golden Knights. She is a great lady.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #30 August 9, 2002 Slotperfect, Someday I would like to visit and jump at some of the DZ's in the SouthEast. Raeford is definitely one I'd try to go to. Another one is the Green Beret Parachute Club at Ft. Bragg. I had some friends who jumped there while I was in S.F. training in 1970. I still remember a bar, not far from our barracks on Smoke Bomb Hill. I can't remember the name of the place, but it had pictures on all four walls of Golden Knights and other jumpers. I'm sure you've been there. At any rate it would be fun to go back and see those places again. I hope you don't lose all respect for me when I say I was in a National Guard Special Forces Group. (The 19th). I did complete all three phases of S.F. training at Bragg and was S qualified, but one of the regrets in my life was not going regular Army. The Guard Units were kind of a joke back in those days. I've got some old photos of Bragg, back then, but I need to learn how to run my scanner first. I even have some photos of static lining out of C-119's. That has been a while ago. Talk to you later. Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #31 August 9, 2002 Steve1, The Green Beret Club still exists, and the bar is called exactly that. It has been in the same location on Smoke Bomb Hill since at least 1984 when I arrived at Ft. Bragg. Officially dubbed the "Green Beret Sport Parachute Activity," it and its sister organization the "82nd Sport Parachute Activity" both provide inexpensive skydiving instruction (SL, AFF, Tandems) to GI's and their families. I used to be a member of both, back when each one was supported by helicopters almost every weekend, jumping at the military drop zones around post. While I was away from the club scene, touring the country as a Demonstrator on the Golden Knights Gold Demonstration Team, the clubs lost their aircraft support (money, I think) and began jumping at Raeford, providing discounted jump tickets for students and instructors. Chuckie Blue (SkyMonkeyOne) was involved with the GB Club for a long time. Currently, the GB club is jumping at "The Skydiving Place," a smaller operation in St. Pauls, NC adjacent to I-95 South of Fayetteville. The 82nd Club remains at Raeford Parachute Center. I acknowledge you for your service in the Guard SF Groups. I would love to see the pictures when you get them. I am an Army Rigger who has been in the SF community for 14 years of my 18 year career. It is a special brotherhood. If you ever get down here, look me up! PM or email me and I'll give ytou my contact info.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #32 August 9, 2002 Quoteand the kids look just like the parents What a horrible thing to say, I think the kids look fine... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #33 August 9, 2002 I have some very entertaining pictures of the Loveland family that I have yet to post. Those, along with some others that I took over the course of the weekend; very funny stuff. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coconutmonkey 0 #36 August 9, 2002 er..... how much did you say you wanted for those pictures? Hearts & Minds 2 to the Heart- 1 to the Mind- Home of the Coconut Lounge, Spa, & Artillery Range Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #37 August 9, 2002 QuoteWhoring! yeah, so?! I'm bored. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
