By: Jared Denson
FYGD Contributor
100th Birthday Celebration – Skydiving!
What did you do for your last birthday? I’m no adrenaline junkie, so last year I was completely content with a lazy day lounging around the pool, sipping on an ice-cold beverage and going out to my favorite restaurant, The Melting Pot, with my family and friends. Welcome Fred Mack, a 100 year-old WWII engineer from Newton Square, PA. On Sunday, March 20th, this thrill-seeking senior citizen, with clearance from his cardiologist, traveled to Free Fall Adventures in Williamstown, NJ to undertake what is believed to be the Guinness World Record for the oldest person ever to sky dive.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think you will ever catch me in free-fall at 13,000 feet at my young age, let alone on my 100th birthday; if you do, you can probably bet it would be my last!
“I’ve been waiting to do this for 5 years” Mack said. His cardiologist, Dr. Elliot Gerber, cleared Mack to skydive 5 years ago for his 95th birthday. On his 100th, his friends and family watched from the ground as he completed an impeccable landing in an open field.
“I cleared him last time, this time they didn’t ask for me to sign off,” Dr. Gerber joked. “Fred has been my patient for 20 years and he is in great shape. He is an amazing man.”
Fred is an amazing man. The former airplane engineer helped design the P-40 plane used in WWII and was a competitive skier until he was in his 90’s! Fred’s contributions to our country and his live-first, die-last spirit are what reinforced to me that life should be about celebration.
After the trip, Fred was asked how he felt; he simply replied, “I’m still alive”. Fred has outlived his two wives while several members of his family lived past 90. Good genes you say? Probably so. But it is his joy, in particular, that I believe has helped him to live such a long and prosperous life. The pure happiness and love of life Fred has is something we should all strive for at any age.
You can watch Fred fulfilling his dream below!
Source: CBS Philly
And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!