Staff Writer

You only turn 85 years old once, so why not celebrate big?

For former President George H.W. Bush, the sky was the limit last Friday as he took off from Sanford Regional Airport with the Golden Knights U.S. Army Parachute Team for his seventh skydive. 

With plans to land on the grounds of St. Anne’s Episcopal Chapel in Kennebunkport, Bush’s family, with all but five grandchildren, was shuttled from Walker’s Point to the church by trolley to await his descent. 

As the plane circled below the cloud deck, the family gathered, ringing cow bells in anticipation. Within minutes the plane disappeared behind the clouds to reach an altitude of 13,000 feet for the jump. 

Boats gathered along the coastline, and an audience accumulated on nearby Colony Beach and Parson’s Way. The overcast sky, which threatened the jump all morning, finally cleared and the first Golden Knight floated to the ground. 

With a background of blue skies, Bush jumped tandem with Sgt. 1^st Class Michael Elliott. Major James Bean said the former president requested to “take his time” as the pair weaved across the sky with the 50^th Anniversary Golden Knights parachute at their back. 

The first time Bush jumped from a plane was during his service in World War II, Chief of Staff Jean Baker said. She said the remaining jumps were in 1997 in Arizona, for his 75^th and 80^th birthdays and again when they reopened the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University.

Elliott and Bush landed about six minutes after jumping from the plane nearly two-and-a-half miles above the ground. A team of Golden Knights undid the straps tethering Bush to Elliott, and as he stood on solid ground, his wife Barbara Bush gave him a hug.

“Well, we made it,” Bush said to the crowd. 

He waved to his family across the field when he heard his grandchildren chanting, “Gampy.”

“I feel exhilarated,” Bush said. “It’s my last jump until I’m 90. I’ll do it again then.”

With clearance from all his doctors for the jump, Bush said his wife has been very supportive of him.

“She told me ‘It’s a good thing you’re doing this at a church, because that way we won’t have far to move you,’” Bush said with a laugh.

“I think it’s awesome he’s 85 and jumping out of a plane,” his son, and former President George W. Bush said. 

“I’m glad to be alive and I’m glad my family’s here,” Bush said. 

People watching by boat finished the refrain of “Happy Birthday” and his family started up the verse as he walked toward them.

“Happy birthday, Mr. President,” they sang. “Happy birthday to you.”

Staff writer Emma Bouthillette can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 237.