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Flying with the Golden Knights

Independent Tribune - 4/21/2017

Flying 10,000 feet above the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center isn't where I planned to be for the opening ceremonies of the Cabarrus County Special Olympics.

I planned to have my feet firmly on the ground, watching the parade of athletes go around the track.

Instead I found myself flying in a military plane, with the doors open and watching members of the U.S. Golden Knights Parachute Team step out and plunge down for the opening ceremonies.

It was wild, intense, a little scary but also one of the most exhilarating experiences I've had as a reporter.

How did I get here?

Flash back to the day before when I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business when the phone rang.

On the other end of the line was Staff Sgt. Jared N. Gehmann, a recruiter with the U.S. Army, who casually asked me if someone in our office was interested in flying with the parachute team. Thinking about my fear of heights and caution about planes, I called our photographer James Nix to see if he wanted to use this as an opportunity to take awesome photos from the air.

But after discussing it with James, he decided he needed to stay on the ground with the athletes.

So of course I began to dial the recruiter's number with every intention to turn him down.

Then a thought crept into my head. This was probably my only chance to hang out with a parachute team as they prepared to perform. When would this happen to me again? The short answer is probably never.

When Jared picked up the phone I didn't say yes immediately though. I asked him about the size of the plane and confessed I was a little nervous. His response, "Well you won't be jumping out the plane."

Touche', Jared.

The big day

I showed up at Concord Regional Airport bright and early Wednesday morning, after heading over to Walmart to purchase Dramamine. I didn't think puking all over the team would be the best first impression and the last time I rode a fair ride I came close, so I figured better safe than sorry.

I felt weirdly calm as I met one of the team members, Keith Pierce, in the lobby of the airport. However, I did mention to him that I hadn't been on a plane in seven years, so I expected him to make sure we didn't have any issues.

He assured me that the plane was only a little over 30 years old and the pilot had been doing this for years. But giggled and asked if I wanted to wear a parachute just in case.

Keith gave me a quick tour of the plane while waiting for Courtney Davis, a news reporter at Spectrum News, and while the team dug into some Bojangles' biscuits. Because who wouldn't want a full stomach when jumping out of the sky, right?

As the team started to get ready, Keith did some introductions and asked Courtney and I to sign waivers. He joked and promised us no media person had died on his watch. Really funny, Keith.

Then before I knew it he was taking us to the back of the plane. Keep in mind this was where the open doors were.

Keith put us in seats right near the doors, although I made sure Jared was sitting next to the door. That way he was in between me and the possibility that I would fall to my death. I was willing to sacrifice him to protect myself if need be.

Keith buckled us in and tied our cameras down, just for extra protection.

The engine roared and we started driving on the runway, accelerating slowly until the moment came for lift off. And then we were on our way up, up and more up.

Before I knew it I was looking out over Cabarrus County, just feet away from the open door. I couldn't believe I was actually doing this. "This is really happening" kept running through my head.

Are these people crazy?

I didn't have much time to be nervous because the team members were all smiles and bursting with excitement at the thought of jumping out of this plane. I told them on several times that I thought they were crazy.

They all have various reasons why they tried out for the Golden Knights, but they all have one thing in common. They love doing it and talking about it.

On our way to the arena we had plenty of time to talk to them about the impending jump and their profession, even though it was extremely loud on the plane. Traveling at 120 mph with the door open isn't a quiet activity.

Keith told me the team uses a lot of sign language to communicate in the plane and air because of how loud it is and showed me some of the motions and what they mean.

As with any team, there were also chants, cheers and signature handshakes going on prior to arriving to the target location, where they would casually step out of the airplane.

After being on the plane for a bit, Keith handed me a streamer and asked me to throw it out the door. He looked at me and said "This is a very important job; it's going to tell us where to land." I replied that maybe someone else should do it then, and he said, "But when else are you going to get to throw something out of a plane?"

There went that thought again.

So on Keith's signal, I and a few of the team members threw streamers out. Mine almost hit one of the guys in the head on the way out, and they got a good laugh out of that. "That was awesome!" Keith exclaimed.

Turns out the streamers give the jumpers a clue on how the wind is blowing.

I have to say when it came time for the team to jump I was actually sad. I really enjoyed talking to them and asking them questions like, "How does your mother feel about you doing this?" Apparently their mothers worry but are just glad they are in the United States jumping out of planes instead of being sent to fight overseas.

Leading up to the target, some were pumping themselves up while one guy was yawning. Again, the word crazy comes to mind.

The jumping part, which was really basically stepping out of the plane, happened way quicker than I expected. As soon as the guys stepped out of the plane, they zipped into mid-air.

And then they were gone; spiraling down with a trail of pink smoke to the cheering crowd of Special Olympics athletes on the ground.

Reflecting on what we just experienced, Courtney and I bonded on the way back to the airport. She also confessed that she had a fear of planes, but we were both awestruck.

Changed forever after those few short hours with these parachute fanatics.

Maybe these people aren't so crazy

I went home for Easter weekend to see my family after my high-flying adventure. We talked about the videos and I told them how calm and welcoming the teammates were during the whole experience.

My family seemed excited for me but as I left to head back to Concord, Grandpa looked at me and said, "Now don't go jumping out of any airplanes."

I've had friends that went skydiving in the past. They talk about what an amazing experience it was and have encouraged me to go. In the past I've always told them they are crazy. I'm not the skydiving type.

But am I?

Watching the parachute team and seeing the passion they have for their sport really got me to thinking. Do I want to jump out of an airplane?

While on the plane one of the guys looked at me and asked "Why would you not want to go skydiving?" My reply was simple; "Because it's terrifying and you guys are crazy."

But his answer to that really stuck with me.

"I'm nervous every single time. But it's the best possible thing you could do in your life."

What if he is right? What if I'm missing out on the best feeling of my life because I'm a little afraid?

I guess time will only tell if I decide to skydive, but the adrenaline I felt after getting off the airplane was unlike any other, and I would like to feel it again.

What I can confidently say is that the Golden Knights put on a fantastic show and are great people. I'm so thankful I was given the opportunity to spend some time with them and that I didn't chicken out.