{"id":2767,"date":"2020-11-03T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?p=2767"},"modified":"2021-10-14T16:32:59","modified_gmt":"2021-10-14T20:32:59","slug":"55-here-hold-my-beer-skydiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/55-here-hold-my-beer-skydiving\/","title":{"rendered":"#55 \u2013 Here, Hold My Beer\u2014Skydiving"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\"><li>Who said, \u201c<em>The three best things in life are: a good landing, a good orgasm, and a good bowel movement. Landing on an aircraft carrier at night is one of the few opportunities in life where you get to experience all three simultaneously.\u201d<\/em><\/li><li>In what movie did we hear, <em>\u201cI only gamble with my life, never my money.\u201d<\/em>?<\/li><li>In what song (and who sang it) did we hear the following?<br><em>Remember the day I set you free<\/em><br><em>I told you you could always count on me darling<\/em><br><em>From that day on, I made a vow<\/em><br><em>I&#8217;ll be there when you want me<\/em><br><em>Some way, somehow<\/em><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"sdm_download_item \"><div class=\"sdm_download_item_top\"><div class=\"sdm_download_thumbnail\"><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_title\">Blog #55 (Audio)<\/div><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_description\"><p>Listen to the audio of this blog, read by Andy Adkins. Click the \u201c<em><strong>Audio<\/strong><\/em>\u201d button below.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_date\"><span class=\"sdm_download_date_label\">Published: <\/span><span class=\"sdm_download_date_value\">October 14, 2021<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_link\"><span class=\"sdm_download_button\"><form action=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?sdm_process_download=1&#038;download_id=5300\" method=\"post\" class=\"sdm-g-recaptcha-form sdm-download-form\"><div class=\"sdm-recaptcha-button\"><div class=\"g-recaptcha sdm-g-recaptcha\"><\/div><a href=\"#\" class=\"sdm_download darkblue sdm_download_with_condition\">Audio by Andy Adkins<\/a><\/div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"download_id\" value=\"5300\" \/><\/form><\/span><span class=\"sdm_download_item_count\"><span class=\"sdm_item_count_number\">1<\/span><span class=\"sdm_item_count_string\"> Download<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sdm_clear_float\"><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to those who commented on my previous blog, <strong><em>\u201c<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/54-westpac-75-carrier-squadrons\/\" target=\"_blank\">#54 \u2013 Westpac \u201975 Carrier Aircraft Squadrons<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.\u201d Several comments were spot on and reminded me of things I\u2019d forgotten. Here\u2019s a few more shared \u201cmemories:\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><em>\u201cSome of the best days of my life. Wouldn\u2019t have missed it for the world.\u201d<\/em><\/li><li><em>\u201cI miss the A-6 Intruders and F-14 Tomcats.. the last two great aircraft the Navy flew.\u201d<\/em><\/li><li><em>\u201cThe good old days, how I miss them.\u201d<\/em><\/li><li><em>\u201cI was on there with ya\u2019 Andy, and the WESTPAC before that..\u201d<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"565\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/AndyJeep_HoldMyBeer.jpg?resize=800%2C565&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2771\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/AndyJeep_HoldMyBeer.jpg?resize=1024%2C723&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/AndyJeep_HoldMyBeer.jpg?resize=300%2C212&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/AndyJeep_HoldMyBeer.jpg?resize=768%2C542&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/AndyJeep_HoldMyBeer.jpg?w=1331&amp;ssl=1 1331w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Andy Adkins (1972)<br>Photo credit: Anne Adkins Berkey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next week&#8217;s blog will be posted on Wednesday, not my usual Tuesday. I launched &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A Veteran&#8217;s Journey<\/a>&#8221; a year ago on Veteran&#8217;s Day. It&#8217;s a special day for lots of reasons. I\u2019m a Navy veteran\u2026 a <em>proud<\/em> Navy veteran. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I had a nickel for every time I\u2019ve said, \u201cbeen there, done that,\u201d I could probably retire. Oh wait\u2026 I <em>am <\/em>retired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the term, \u201c<em>Here, hold my beer<\/em>,\u201d is a phrase that became popular in the 90s. I had to look this up, but Dr. Google reports the comedian <strong>Jeff Foxworthy<\/strong> started using this phrase in his act in the 1990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are so many memes on the Internet that use this catchphrase, I think we all \u201cget it.\u201d It was very common in the South a few years ago. Oftentimes, \u201c<em>Here, hold my beer<\/em>\u201d involves a \u201cdare,\u201d or a \u201cone-upmanship.\u201d I know I\u2019ve used it many times in conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But back in my Navy days, 1973-77, the phrase didn\u2019t exist, or at least <em>I <\/em>never heard it. But I can certainly relate to some of those things I did in my younger Navy days when, &#8220;Here, hold my beer&#8221; would have been appropriate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let me tell you about one time\u2026 that time when I began to <em>Skydive<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>My First Jump<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I was at Florida State University at the ripe old age of 17, I took the opportunity to learn to skydive. My parents were very protective during my childhood (that wasn\u2019t a bad thing). But at the time, I felt like I was the only kid on the entire planet that couldn\u2019t do this or that in my earlier years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They wouldn\u2019t let me scuba dive, though during high school I managed to sneak in a dive with a friend now and then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They wouldn\u2019t let me ride a motorcycle, though I had a friend who showed me how, and I borrowed his bike a few times. With all that parental protection when I was growing up, I figured it was time to test the waters now that I was out on my own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, I tried skydiving. I made two jumps while at FSU and thought it was the next best thing to sex, though&#8230; I wasn\u2019t experienced at either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I only got through my freshman year at FSU; I flunked out with a 07. G.P.A. Then I got smart and <a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/from-civilian-to-us-navy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">joined the Navy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fast forward&#8230; a few months later, after Boot Camp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lakehurst, NJ Skydiving Club<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It just so happened that there was a skydiving club at <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/35-navy-a-school\/\" target=\"_blank\">NAS Lakehurst<\/a><\/strong>. I made three more jumps including my first Dummy Rip Cord Pull, or DRCP. That&#8217;s where you simulate pulling your own rip cord even though you still jump with a static line connected to the plane that (hopefully) automatically opens your parachute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I had two thoughts floating around. One, if I had a pilot\u2019s license, I could \u201ctrade out\u201d flying for skydiving, since both cost about the same. I don\u2019t remember the cost of skydiving, but it was probably around $20 per jump. I do remember when I got my pilot\u2019s license while stationed at <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/44-when-life-hands-you-lemons\/\" target=\"_blank\">NAS Agana, Guam<\/a><\/strong>, the cost for the plane rental <em>and <\/em>the cost of the pilot instructor was about $25 per hour. So, that would be a good tradeoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also thought that since I was an avid scuba diver, adding in skydiving <em>and <\/em>the Navy, there might be a possibility of becoming a Navy SEAL. Yes, that wild &amp; crazy thought crossed my mind. However, I had torn cartilages and ligaments in one of my knees from one too many &#8220;pick up&#8221; football games. While I had these thoughts of grandeur, the reality set in\u2014no way, no how. So that thought lasted about 1.2 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now why would anyone jump out of a perfectly good airplane? Good question!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is hard to explain, but once you do it, it is truly exhilarating. That can be said about a lot of things&#8230; Here, hold my beer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On <em>my <\/em>skydiving adventures, we took off in a tiny airplane with passenger room about the size of a large can of tuna or a Honda Accord  that held five people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydivePlanExit-1024x576.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydivePlanExit.jpg?resize=292%2C164&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2775\" width=\"292\" height=\"164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydivePlanExit.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydivePlanExit.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydivePlanExit.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydivePlanExit.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 292px) 100vw, 292px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Cessna C-182 Skydiving Plane<br>Photo credit: Cristian Gomez<br><em>(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There&#8217;s only one seat in the plane for the pilot. The rest of us crazies are crammed in the cockpit, sitting on a flat wooden floor with both a main parachute on your back as well as a reserve chute on your chest. If you hadn\u2019t flown in a plane that size before, it\u2026 well&#8230; it adds to the \u201cexcitement\u201d of the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pilot takes off and continues to circle and climb until the plane reaches about 3,000 feet above the ground. That\u2019s when he cuts the engine and the plane begins to glide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The skydiving instructor, or Jump Master, is up front and opens the starboard door, which on this particular Cessna skydiving plane swung up and locked into position under the plane\u2019s overhead wing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jump!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He tells you to grab the wing strut and step out onto the platform. You look down and ask, \u201cWhat platform?\u201d There is only an 8- by 8-inch step down there&#8230; Yeah, that\u2019s the one. You grab the wing strut while still sitting on the floor of the plane and swing your legs out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The plane smoothly glides through the air and the wind speed is about 70 miles per hour. Your legs get swept aside and you struggle to bring them back to that little itty-bitty platform. It\u2019s similar to driving down the interstate at 70 miles per hour and you stick your arm out\u2014lots of wind resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydiveUSForcesSalute.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydiveUSForcesSalute.jpg?resize=288%2C192&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2776\" width=\"288\" height=\"192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydiveUSForcesSalute.jpg?w=962&amp;ssl=1 962w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydiveUSForcesSalute.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/SkydiveUSForcesSalute.jpg?resize=768%2C513&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>U.S. 10th Special Forces Paratrooper<br>&#8220;exiting&#8221; a C-130 over Germany<br>Photo credit: VIS Jason Johnston\/US Army<br><em>(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you have a hold of the wing strut and you firmly plant your feet on that little teeny step, you then swing out and put your full weight on the step. You are now outside the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next part is easy\u2014the instructor looks directly at you and yells, \u201cGo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You look back at him and seriously ask, \u201cWho, me?\u201d like there\u2019s someone else out there on that teeny-tiny platform with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019re taught to first jump a little to get off the step then let go of the wing strut, all the while trying to remain spread eagled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fortunately, other than letting go, there is no thought process other than the occasional \u201cOh shit!\u201d or \u201cGeronimo!\u201d depending on whether or not you had your Wheaties that morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Static Line Jump<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During your first few training jumps, your parachute cord attaches directly to the airplane with about a 20 foot strap called a static line. When you jump, the static line pulls the main parachute open so you don\u2019t have to worry about anything\u2014unless of course you find yourself hosting a \u201cMae West\u201d which in itself is another \u201cOh shit!\u201d moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let me take a moment to explain&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Mae West is when one of the parachute cords loops over the top of the parachute, making two smaller billows, similar to what some would consider Mae West\u2019s bra. But that rarely happens, and if it does, that\u2019s what your reserve chute is for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you don&#8217;t know who Mae West is, then you don&#8217;t know what you&#8217;re missing. While you&#8217;re Googling her, also Google W.C. Fields while you&#8217;re at it. There are some hilarious YouTube videos. You&#8217;ll thank me later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I didn\u2019t know it at the time, but those jumps at Lakehurst, NJ would be my last ever. I have never regretted skydiving, nor do I feel like I need to do it again. It&#8217;s just one of those things you want to prove to yourself and I could add it to my growing <em><strong>Been There, Done That<\/strong><\/em> list. Or these days, &#8220;Here, hold my beer!&#8221; list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DRCP \u2013 The Exhilaration<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I made a grand total of five jumps: four were static line and one was a DRCP. I can remember that my last jump was just as exciting as my first. There was that buildup of excitement, the reality of moving into position, the \u201coh shit\u201d moment, the exhilaration of floating down to earth, and the anticipation of the landing. All combined, it was one hell of a ride, no question about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And yes, each time I either yelled or sung a song on the way down. Why? I have no clue, but I just felt like doing it at the time. Marty Robbins, \u201c<em>Strawberry Roan<\/em>\u201d comes to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve said this before and I\u2019ve blogged about it many times. Working on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier (<strong><em>USS Kitty Hawk<\/em><\/strong>, <strong>CV-63<\/strong>; &#8217;75-77) and being so close to launching aircraft and landing jets\u2026 well, that <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/26-that-adrenaline-rush\/\" target=\"_blank\">adrenaline is a constant rush<\/a>. And that same type of adrenaline is what I felt while skydiving <em>and <\/em>fighting fires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>One more\u2026 <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RufusAndy_507th-1024x688.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RufusAndy_507th.jpg?resize=270%2C181&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2773\" width=\"270\" height=\"181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RufusAndy_507th.jpg?resize=1024%2C688&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RufusAndy_507th.jpg?resize=300%2C202&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RufusAndy_507th.jpg?resize=768%2C516&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RufusAndy_507th.jpg?resize=1536%2C1032&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RufusAndy_507th.jpg?resize=2048%2C1376&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RufusAndy_507th.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Dr. Rufus K. Broadaway, Andy Adkins<br>507th PIR Reunion<br><em>(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My father-in-law, <strong>Dr. Rufus K. Broadaway<\/strong>, who passed away a few years ago at the tender age of 95, was in the <strong>82nd Airborne<\/strong> during World War II. I wrote about him earlier when he faced his \u201cBaptism of Fire\u201d at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/34-no-better-place-to-die\/\" target=\"_blank\">La Fi\u00e9re Causeway<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He once told me that he took off five times in airplanes <em>before<\/em> he ever landed in one\u2026 think about it (you\u2019ll get it). That\u2019s how paratroopers earned their \u201cwings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years later, I accompanied Rufus to several of his 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment reunions and met several of the men with whom he served. It was an honor and a privilege to be with him\u2014another one of my heroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I remember attending a reunion several years ago at <strong>Fort Benning, GA<\/strong>\u2014home of the <strong>US Army Airborne School<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Besides attending the Ranger graduation ceremony (another group of heroes), we had the opportunity to \u201cjump\u201d from one of their short 30\u2019 towers. It wasn\u2019t really a jump <em>per se<\/em>, but it gave me the opportunity to slip on a harness and \u201cjump\u201d (or in my case, <em>slide <\/em>out) of the tower on a zip line and glide for a hundred yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was a little anxious and told myself that my 245 pounds was only \u201cslightly\u201d heavier than the 175 pounds I carried 35 years earlier when I first jumped. And I was only 30 feet off the ground, as opposed to 3,000 feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But when I came back to meet up with Rufus, he had that glint in his eye and asked if I wanted to do it again. We both laughed when I said, \u201cNope, one and done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here, hold my beer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stay safe, my friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Until we meet again,<\/em><br>Andy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/never-forget\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel.jpg?resize=74%2C111&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"NEVER FORGET Book Cover with &quot;New&quot; Label\" class=\"wp-image-3452\" width=\"74\" height=\"111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 74px) 100vw, 74px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#000030\">Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (\u201973-77) and the author of several books. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran\u2019s Journey for Redemption &amp; Forgiveness. NEVER FORGET is FREE (eBook, PDF) for all veterans. Download your <strong>FREE<\/strong> copy <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/never-forget\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Previous posts mentioned in this blog:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/54-westpac-75-carrier-squadrons\/\" target=\"_blank\">#54 \u2013 Westpac \u201975 Carrier Aircraft Squadrons<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/from-civilian-to-us-navy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">#4 &#8211; From Civilian to US Navy<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/35-navy-a-school\/\" target=\"_blank\">#35 \u2013 US Navy \u201cA\u201d School (ABH)<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/44-when-life-hands-you-lemons\/\" target=\"_blank\">#44 \u2013 When Life Hands You Lemons\u2026<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/26-that-adrenaline-rush\/\" target=\"_blank\">#26 \u2013 That Adrenaline Rush<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/34-no-better-place-to-die\/\" target=\"_blank\">#34 \u2013 No Better Place to Die<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Answers<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\"><li>Almost every Navy carrier pilot. &nbsp;<\/li><li><strong><em>The Mummy<\/em><\/strong> (1999), Rick O\u2019Connell (Brendan Fraser).<\/li><li><strong><em>Ain\u2019t No Mountain High Enough<\/em><\/strong> (1970), Marvin Gaye; written by Valerie Simpson, Nicholas Ashford.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wpforms-container wpforms-container-full wpforms-block\" id=\"wpforms-3206\"><form id=\"wpforms-form-3206\" class=\"wpforms-validate wpforms-form\" data-formid=\"3206\" method=\"post\" enctype=\"multipart\/form-data\" action=\"\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2767\" data-token=\"9188024a07b06e9aaeef09215391427d\" data-token-time=\"1782452074\"><noscript class=\"wpforms-error-noscript\">Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.<\/noscript><div class=\"wpforms-field-container\"><div id=\"wpforms-3206-field_0-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-name\" data-field-id=\"0\"><label class=\"wpforms-field-label\">Name <span class=\"wpforms-required-label\">*<\/span><\/label><div class=\"wpforms-field-row wpforms-field-medium\"><div class=\"wpforms-field-row-block wpforms-first wpforms-one-half\"><input type=\"text\" id=\"wpforms-3206-field_0\" class=\"wpforms-field-name-first wpforms-field-required\" name=\"wpforms[fields][0][first]\" required><label for=\"wpforms-3206-field_0\" class=\"wpforms-field-sublabel after\">First<\/label><\/div><div class=\"wpforms-field-row-block wpforms-one-half\"><input type=\"text\" id=\"wpforms-3206-field_0-last\" class=\"wpforms-field-name-last wpforms-field-required\" name=\"wpforms[fields][0][last]\" required><label for=\"wpforms-3206-field_0-last\" class=\"wpforms-field-sublabel after\">Last<\/label><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"wpforms-3206-field_1-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-email\" data-field-id=\"1\"><label class=\"wpforms-field-label\" for=\"wpforms-3206-field_1\">Email <span class=\"wpforms-required-label\">*<\/span><\/label><input type=\"email\" id=\"wpforms-3206-field_1\" class=\"wpforms-field-medium wpforms-field-required\" name=\"wpforms[fields][1]\" spellcheck=\"false\" required><\/div><\/div><!-- .wpforms-field-container --><div class=\"wpforms-submit-container\" ><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"wpforms[id]\" value=\"3206\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page_title\" value=\"\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page_url\" value=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2767\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"url_referer\" value=\"\"><button type=\"submit\" name=\"wpforms[submit]\" id=\"wpforms-submit-3206\" class=\"wpforms-submit\" data-alt-text=\"Sending...\" data-submit-text=\"Submit\" aria-live=\"assertive\" value=\"wpforms-submit\">Submit<\/button><\/div><\/form><\/div>  <!-- .wpforms-container -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Who said, \u201cThe three best things in life are: a good landing, a good orgasm, and a good bowel movement. Landing on an aircraft carrier at night is one of the few opportunities in life&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/55-here-hold-my-beer-skydiving\/\" class=\"readmore\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">#55 \u2013 Here, Hold My Beer\u2014Skydiving<\/span><span class=\"fa fa-angle-double-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[60,59],"tags":[160,67,106,74,197,154,19,17,92,164,237,7,4],"class_list":["post-2767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-army","category-navy","tag-507th-parachute-infantry-regiment","tag-82nd-airborne-division","tag-abh","tag-agana-guam","tag-baptism-by-fire","tag-dr-rufus-k-broadaway","tag-firefighter","tag-flight-deck","tag-lafiere-causeway","tag-lakehurst-nj","tag-skydiving","tag-uss-kitty-hawk","tag-veteran","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>#55 \u2013 Here, Hold My Beer\u2014Skydiving &#8212; A Veteran&#039;s Journey<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Skydiving. 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