Ator

John, Just maybe during WWII there was a group of US citizens saying we should not be in that war. If we would have not been that the world would be a lot different today. England Who? Only time will tell if this is a just war. The one thing I know about our warriors they ask to go fight a war to keep us free to jump from planes and any other freedoms we enjoy like free speech. FREEDOM is NOT FREE! That is why I thank EVERY VET I meet or take on a skydiving. Or how about this in the 10 years you and I have been jumping over 200 people died skydiving. Maybe we should STOP! Remember some were our friends and they died in preventable accidents. 3000+ people died on 9/11! They did not volunteer do die for a cause. I know some did... ie fire fighters. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The 4000+ dead soldiers die for them so others will not die on US soil in the wrong place at the wrong time. STOP using US Soldiers as political pawns! What party has been in "power" (read writing laws) for the past 6 years? How did we end up in the economic boat we are in if they were doing their jobs? Neither party has done their jobs. They were all running for office. We ALL may loose our JOBS or FREEDOMS because THEY did not do their JOBS. Maybe it time for a NEW GOVERNMENT. ONE for the people by the people! Oh isn't that what we have? Eric

Thank you for thinking so, but there are many examples of people in life that are the front people and they have tons of support people who do not get the awards. Natasha is a great choice for S.D.O.T.Y.! The problem in the sport right now is being "seen" If the USPA can show the general public the achievements’ of someone like Natasha's. Then just maybe more will join the sport. ESPN will not cover our US Nationals in full, but will show repeat after repeat of the world series of poker. (I love the game) The military days of the sport are over. We all need to market our sport better, if you love it. My attitude is 'make it happen'

First I want to say to Loud Tom is "Your Fired!" I have instructed and been on the 10way team with him. It is great that you have found a dz that works at the pace you can handle. Have a great season! Now as an AFFI, Tandem Master, Organizer, part time cook, two time big way sequential record holder and bronze metal winner. I find it extremely rewarding when those I have taught achieve their goals. I wish I was Natasha's original instructors just to be able to say 'I had a small influence in her achievement.' That is what I find this sport is all about. There are many in the sport that I have taught or helped in some way that have past me on many levels. There are also the ones that other instructors have given up on. It is a great feeling to help them just stay in the sport. Now at the start of my 10 season I would love to list many of those names, but it would be well over 100 and I would fear I left someone out. The best rewards are when a "younger" skydiver comes up to you and says something like "you are one of the their top 5 skydivers they know." or when one of your students with 222 jumps is the star at a 80 way camp or the team that hires a player coach to do 300 jumps and HOURS of tunnel (Go TEAM) or the when one of the all girl teams you encouraged to do 4way wins Bronze at USPA Nationals or how about the truck driver others thought should quit the sport is still jumping after three season because you gave them the advice to fix their problem so they could do the sport that both of us fell in love with. These are just a few examples of my REWARDS in the sport so far. These people are why I am doing what I do to help the sport grow and to have self fulfillment in the sport. Not a piece of paper or metal. Now I want also want thank all those who influenced me in the sport, but the list is again long. Help our sport grow again… THINK POSTIVE! Four things I have learned in this sport. Ambition is what gets us started, Attitude gives us direction and Ability is our goal. I am still learning and always will in this sport as well as life. The fourth is NEVER GIVE UP! This has many meanings. Congratulations NATASHA... You earned your achievements! Eric Bickel