Bush plunges 6,000 feet to celebrate 90th birthday

41st President George H.W. Bush flew down in a red, white, and blue parachute to celebrate his 90th birthday (Robert F Bukaty / AP Photo)

41st President George H.W. Bush flew down in a red, white, and blue parachute (Robert F Bukaty / AP Photo)

Former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 90th birthday in high style as he kept a promise made five years ago by jumping out of an airplane one last time.

“It’s a wonderful day in Maine — in fact, nice enough for a parachute jump,” Bush tweeted earlier Thursday morning.

Bush departed from the ground at 10:45 a.m., and touched down near his Kennebunkport, Maine home around 11:15 a.m. He made the tandem jump with the assistance of retired military jumper, Sgt. 1st Class Mike Elliot.

Among the crowd on hand to witness the former president’s landing was wife Barbara, and son George W. Bush.

The elder Bush first parachuted as a 20-year-old fighter pilot, when a plane he was on during World War II was shot down over the Pacific by the Japanese.

The 41st president said the first jump sparked his interest in skydiving, despite the scary circumstances. After today’s jump, Bush has parachuted eight times in his illustrious life, including jumps on his 80th and 85th birthdays.

“It’s that passion for life. It’s wanting to set a goal, wanting to achieve it. I’m sure part of it is sending a message to others that even in your retirement years you can still find challenges,” spokesman Jim McGrath said.

Many politicians from Texas and nationwide have joined in wishing the former president a happy birthday, including Texas Republicans Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.

Wishing a very happy 90th birthday to President @GeorgeHWBush! #HappyBirthday41 #WatchOutForTheGators pic.twitter.com/HdGJTyINrK

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) June 12, 2014

 

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Cesar Escalante