Australian man celebrates 92nd birthday by jumping out of a plane
How do you think you might celebrate your 92nd birthday? Most might conjure up images of a family picnic or a relaxing cuppa and crumpet before a well-deserved afternoon snooze. That¹s not Ron Hodsdon¹s cup of tea though.
The Serene Retirement Living resident celebrates his 92nd birthday today, and has commemorated it by jumping out of an aeroplane 12,000 feet over Kirra Beach in Queensland.
Ron's no stranger to parachuting, with his first jump being in 1943 when he was a member of the very first Australian Parachute Battalion in the Australian Army. After joining at just sixteen, he was chosen from 8,000 volunteers to join the small battalion whose goal was to train at numerous jump heights (the lowest being 600 feet) in order to get to the ground quickly in the event of combat.
Ron told Over60 "We never had time to be nervous".He retired from the squadron at 21 in 1945 after around 20 to 25 jumps.
This makes today's jump the first in over 70 years! When asked what made him do it, Ron said he just wanted to "see how he would go." After a free fall that lasted 7,000 feet followed by a soft glide onto Kirra beach, he described the experience as "absolutely magnificent".
The jump was a present from his wife Lois, who made sure they checked with the doctor first if all was well with the veteran¹s health.
Ron is a strong believer that age is only a number, not a barrier. When he's not falling from the sky, he is a regular member his retirement village¹s men's bowling team, "The Serene Living Dream Team", as well as an active participant in the Residents Garden Committee.
Serenity employee Loraine Martin speaks highly of Ron, saying "He always has a pleasant word and smile for everyone".
Ron said he would like to jump again next year, as long as he thinks his legs will hold up in the cramped plane cabin.
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