Former President George H.W. Bush ijumped with the Army Golden Knights parachute team's Sgt. 1st Class Mike Elliott at the rededication of the presidential library in College Station, Texas, in November 2007. (Photo by U.S. Army, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Mcdaniel / via AP)
by Mark Silva and updated
The big news from Kennebunkport today is about Former President George H.W. Bush''s next big jump -- a tandem parachute drop Friday to celebrate his 85th birthday.
Bush, who keeps a summer home on Walker's Point, will jump with a member of the Army Golden Knights parachute team, landing at a church in Kennebunkport, Me.
Robin Meade, anchor of Morning Express on HLN, will take part in a tandem jump with the Bush team. "It's not every day one gets the chance to tandem jump alongside a former president, with the Army's Golden Knights -- it is both a thrill and an honor," said Meade -- which, of course means that CNN, HLN and CNN.com will be covering the sky-diving. Meade will get an interview before the jump.
Bush has celebrated his 75th and 80th birthdays this way, and also jumped in November 2007 at the reopening of his presidential library at Texas A&M University in College Station.
He also jumped in the Navy, when his plane was shot down over the Pacific Ocean during World War II.
Comments
Brings back memories no doubt.
Like the way he bailed out on his crew in WW II.
Posted by: Milton Friedman | June 9, 2009 5:06 PM
I may not agree with the man's politics but I am happy he can at his age enjoy life to the fullest. Happy Birthday.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | June 9, 2009 5:37 PM
The guy has gumption.I respect his non partisan approach and his work with Clinton. Thats about it.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | June 9, 2009 7:07 PM
Oh sheesh, MF.
GHWB's plane was shot down, unflyable. In a TBF, when that happens, it's every man for himself. GHWB got out alive; the other two didn't.
When James Bradley interviewed GHWB for his book, "Flyboys" (a good read, if you haven't read it), and asked him about that incident, Bush turned to the window and said that not a day goes by that he doesn't think about the crewmembers that didn't survive.
You're impugning a good and decent man.
Posted by: DaveB | June 9, 2009 7:52 PM
Yes I know something about WW II shootdowns.
And I know he made that remark.
However, anything coming from the Bush Dynasty has to be considered presumptively self serving and a half truth.
Posted by: Milton Friedman | June 9, 2009 8:39 PM
"Milton Friedman's" initials in this instance actually stand for two other words. Pretty typical response from the worst mankind has to offer: the hateful morons from the Loony Left.
George Bush has more decency, bravery and graciousness than all the Loony Lefters could ever aspire to -- COMBINED!
Posted by: John D | June 9, 2009 11:36 PM
Oh MF--and now we have a community organizer destroying our great country...I'll go with the guy who was shot down over enemy territory--served and loved his country, unlike you and Obama. Get a life ...you dope.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | June 10, 2009 1:35 AM
The photo has an uncanny resemblance to (insert couple here).
a. John D and Party Gal Bruce
b. John D and Paulo
c. John D and Terry
d. Rush and Newt
e. Rush and Cheney
f. Murdoch and Rush
g. Michael Steele and Newt
h. John W and John W
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | June 10, 2009 9:42 AM
Brings back memories no doubt.
Like the way he bailed out on his crew in WW II.
Posted by: Milton Friedman | June 9, 2009 5:06 PM
You are a disgusting piece of garbage!!! I don't know how old you are....my guess is that you are a recent college graduate since you hate this country so much....if you are...then God help this country! Congratulations President Bush...you and your family are true Americans!!
Posted by: Joe | June 10, 2009 9:55 AM
Nothing but a staged event, A photo op.
Actually, John D., the Bush family is the very worst that mankind has to offer. Especially the AWOL one, Bush #43.
Posted by: Doug R. | June 10, 2009 10:44 AM
Milton, people like you really make me sick. I'm sure that you know something about WWII shootdowns but I suggest that this information most likely came from the TV. I suggest that you are nothing more than a coward picking on another war hero. Way to go big man!
Posted by: Miltons Militia | June 10, 2009 10:52 AM
"Read my lips. I think about those crew members every day. And when I'm not thinking about them, I'm thinking about my 'thousand points of light'. Quick: can you name one?"
Posted by: Milton Friedman | June 10, 2009 11:26 AM
When will the taxpayers get to stop paying for these little, "I'm still young!" stunts? I'm sure it's hundreds of thousands of dollars just for this photo op. Pathetic. Go run the CIA and put another pitiful Manchurian candidate in office. What a loser!
Posted by: Nancy | June 10, 2009 12:01 PM
I wonder how much this vacation stunt by Shrub Senior cost the American taxpayer.
Posted by: BC | June 10, 2009 12:53 PM
Paulo, don't mince words. You'll take the guy who served his country...as long as he is a conservative and a Republican.
Beyond that, you'll take the previous President and VP as well, two opposite examples of people who served their country. Don't pretend it's the military service that commands your loyalty. Extremely transparent. Like most of your comments.
Posted by: Biff | June 10, 2009 12:53 PM
When will the taxpayer get to stop funding these, "I'm still young!" stunts? I'm sure it's hundreds of thousands of dollars just so this Peter Pan who will never grow up can jump out of a plane with a real paratrooper holding on to him. The economy is in the tank and we're paying for this stuff? Go run the CIA and put another Manchurian candidate up for election. What a loser!
Posted by: Nancy | June 10, 2009 1:00 PM
I'm waiting for Bill Clinton to jump out of a plane on the back of Monica Lewinsky.
Posted by: ornery | June 10, 2009 1:51 PM