July 16, 2012

90-year-old Maine man skydives for first time

Lester Slate was inspired by former president George H.W. Bush's 85th birthday jump.

The Associated Press

PITTSFIELD — A Maine man who learned how to use a parachute as a Navy pilot during World War II has finally made his first jump — at age 90.

click image to enlarge

90-year-old Lester Slate of Exeter sits on the ground Sunday after his first skydiving jump, in tandem with instructor Matt Riendeau, left, at Central Maine Skydiving in Pittsfield, Maine.

AP/Bangor Daily News, Kevin Bennett

Lester Slate of Exeter jumped out of a plane for the first time on Sunday at Pittsfield Airport and was guided to the ground by a tandem jumper, and accompanied by another skydiver trailing a U.S. flag.

The jump was a 90th birthday present to himself. More than 50 family and friends watched.

Slate tells the Bangor Daily News he was inspired by former president George H.W. Bush, who jumped from an airplane on his 85th birthday in 2009.

Slate says he had such a good time he wants to do it again — on his 95th or 100th birthday.

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