Bush makes parachute jump

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 80th birthday with a 13,000-foot parachute jump over his presidential library Sunday, and said he felt the same thrill of prior jumps even though his hopes of skydiving solo were dashed.

He made a tandem jump — harnessed to a member of an Army’s Golden Knights parachute team — after officials decided the wind conditions and low clouds made it too dangerous for the 41st president to jump alone, which he did when he turned 75.

“This was a real thrill for me,” said Bush, wearing a black-and-gold jumpsuit. “I felt no fear … for me to get a chance to jump with the Golden Knights is a dream.”

With Staff Sgt. Bryan Schnell on his back and a black-and-gold parachute ballooning above them, the former president waved his arms to some 4,000 spectators as he neared the drop zone — a painted logo of “41 at 80” in the center of a football-field-sized area on the grounds of his presidential library at Texas A&M University.

“It’s been a great day,” Bush said after sailing to the ground, landing and scooting a ways on his backside. “This was a day of joy and a day of wonder for the Bush family, certainly for the old guy.”

The crowd included his wife, Barbara, his son Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev — whom the former president had invited to jump with him.

“Afraid,” Gorbachev said through an interpreter, explaining why he didn’t accept the offer. “Maybe on his 90th birthday. … For me, it would be a first. At my age, that may kill me.”

Gorbachev gave Bush flowers and a bottle of vodka.

After Bush, who turned 80 Saturday, jumped tandem early Sunday morning in a practice run, officials decided weather conditions were too risky for a solo skydive.

“We were concerned the president possibly could get lost in a cloud and we don’t want him to do that,” said Lt. Col. David Standridge, commander of the Golden Knights.

“It was a different sensation, but when you’re in the arms of an expert parachutist, there’s far less concern,” Bush said. “The feeling is the same. It was incredible.”