stevewis

I never got to jump with Hutch, but I worked at the same company. We talked quite a bit about skydiving. He was a great guy, always had a way of putting a smile on your face no matter how bad your day was going. woof

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I started skydiving back in 1977, while stationed at Ft. Gordon Ga. Guy named Jerry Provorse got me into jumping. We used to go out to Barnwell and jump at Bobby Frierson's DZ. I think my first jump was in Feb 1977, and by August I had my SCR and A license. It was so much fine jumping out of the Lockheed L-10. After I graduated AIT at Ft. Gordon, I was stationed in Germany, and did several jumps over in Mannheim (Coleman Barracks). Jumped with a guy who had only one leg....have to look up his name in my log book. I ran into Jerry Provorse again in Germany, and jumped a few weekends with him and his wife. I kind of faded away from jumping.....got busy with life, got married, had kids, got divorced.....before I knew it, I had blown my knee playing softball, and that pretty much put me on the ground! I caught up with Bobby Frierson several years ago, just after his stroke. I wanted to go visit him, but never made the time. Now, unfortunatly, I can't. I've got a TON of pics from my days in Barnwell, I'll have to scan them in and post them, huh ? I also read we lost Brad Foster too. He was a great guy, taught me allot. He was the first JM to make me spot myself. Those were some of my happiest times..... Steve http://www.horselakefarm.com

I met Bobby Frierson back in 1977. I was at AIT training at Ft. Gordon, and started my jumping career at Barnwell. Bobby and Monica became good friends of mine. Those times at the drop zone were some of the best times I ever had in my life. I can remember the time Rick Sands went out too far on the wing of the Lockheed !!!! After I left Ft. Gordon, I was assigned to Germany, and I never got to see Bobby again after that. I heard that he had a stroke some years ago. In 1977, we (the Barnwell gang) flew up to Raeford NC for the 4th of July. I was at that time only doing 10 secods FF's. I got up early one morning, and was looking for my JM to take me out before the "crowd" got up. They were loading up a C-172, and there was as slot open, and someone asked me if I wanted to go up, so I hopped on. Well, long story short, the plane was going to 7500 feet (30 second FF). I was too afraid to say something, so I just went out with them. I just went out and did a nice stable FF, but didn't get in with the others. Bobby was waiting for me when I got there. After he lectured me about jumping when I should not, from altitudes that I shouldn't..without the proper SAFE supervision...he told me I flew good and he suited up, and took me to 12500, and taught me how to do some basic RW. What a great weekend for me ! I have not jumped since I tore my knee up playing softball. I miss jumping, it was the best of times for me ! Now that I am in full fledged middle age, I raise and train Clydesdales ! Steve http://www.horselakefarm.com