debonair 0 #1 June 16, 2004 Hello all... a long-time skydiver friend of mine is trying to make a very unique jump as a tribute to his uncle who was killed in WWII. If you are interested in helping him out, please read on.... I'm attaching his original email so you can see the photo if you care to. Thanks. ================== This is a picture of my uncle, Danny Mangan. He died on June 23rd, 1944, when the B-17 he was piloting was shot down just outside the village of Outer, Belgium. It was his 29th mission for the 95th bomb group; in fact, he had just written home to say, “Just one more mom… …and I’ll be home.” But Danny, like so many others, didn’t make it home. When his plane, “To Hell or Glory” was hit with anti-aircraft flak and went into a dive, Danny ordered the crew to bail out, while he stayed at the controls and steered the mortally wounded plane clear of the city below. His options were clear: abandon the plane and live, or stay aboard and protect lives of others.. The people of Outer have never forgotten Danny’s sacrifice. This year, on June 20, 2004, the Belgian Government and the people of Outer will be honoring my uncle, and have asked me to parachute into the crash site of “To Hell or Glory” in the presence of the crew’s two surviving members. To be asked was an honor; to be able to close the circle for my uncle is a dream, an American dream. Will you help me realize this dream? My name is Rick Mangan, and in addition to being Danny’s nephew, I am a former member of the United States Parachute Team and a two-time National Parachuting Champion. In my 27 years in the sport, I have completed more than 15,000 parachute jumps accumulated more than 12 hours of total freefall time, and yet, I have never had an opportunity like this one. Until recently, I had no idea the people of Outer were planning this ceremony, and they had no idea of my background: consequently, the time needed to fundraise for this jump has been extremely limited. How You Can Help: You can help in one of two ways: with a small donation (send paypal donation to rickenbacker@verizon.net) or by forwarding this request to others who may be able to contribute. If I can reach 500 people in the next two weeks, and each can donate $10.00, I will be able to finance the aircraft, the equipment and the clearance I need to make this jump safely, and you will have contributed to the honoring of my uncle, and all that he, and those who made similar sacrifices, stood for. Thank You , Rick Mangan Later edited to remove attachment. Photo did not upload. ======================= AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #2 June 16, 2004 I'm in. Let me figure out paypal.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,151 #3 June 16, 2004 QuoteIn my 27 years in the sport, I have completed more than 15,000 parachute jumps accumulated more than 12 hours of total freefall time, Curious numbers. Assuming rounding to nearest 1,000 jumps and nearest hour, it works out to about 3 seconds of freefall time per jump at most.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
larsrulz 0 #4 June 16, 2004 Early CReW dog I guess. I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #5 June 16, 2004 Accuracy jumper. Sounds like former Knight based on the experience levels.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,151 #6 June 16, 2004 QuoteAccuracy jumper. Sounds like former Knight based on the experience levels. Just accuracy with no style!... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #7 June 16, 2004 Touching. I'm in. And I forwarded it to a sh*t load of people. (sorry guys!) My father was in WWII, and for some reason this dude's story was pretty close to home for me. My father has many stories like this one of friends lost. Hope the guy gets to fullfill his dream. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #8 June 16, 2004 My father was in WWII, and for some reason this dude's story was pretty close to home for me. My father has many stories like this one of friends lost. Hope the guy gets to fullfill his dream. I know exactly how you feel. My dad was not up on the 23rd, but according to his log book he was knocking out flack gun emplacements on the 22nd. Hope we can help him do this.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #9 June 16, 2004 well, it's working. QuoteHi Liz, I am happy to contribute. Can I ask you to send $10.00 and I will send you $10.00? It's on the way. Love YOU, Mom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #10 June 17, 2004 I got an email from Rick Mangan and he just talked to a civilain in Belgium that witnessed his uncle's crash. What an adventure!Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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