Texas Governor Abbott Skydives with 106-Year-Old Veteran

Monday was a big day for Texas Governor Greg Abbott who went skydiving for the first time in his life and did it with a 106-year-old World War II veteran by the name of Al Blaschke. They both did a tandem jump with the professionals at Skydive Spaceland San Marcos to honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans. Governor Abbott and Mr. Blaschke were flown up to 8,500 feet aboard a de Havilland DHC-6-200-Twin Otter aircraft for the jump.

"Texans and Americans owe so much to the brave men and women who serve our nation and protect the freedoms that we enjoy each and every day," said Governor Abbott. "I am proud to share my first skydiving jump with Al Blaschke to honor veterans, like him, who helped safeguard the freedoms and promise of our country for generations of Americans."

Governor Abbott and Mr. Blaschke were attached to two Texas National Guard soldiers during the tandem jump, along with veteran advocate and Georgetown community leader Betty Schleder.

This was not Mr. Blaschke of Georgetown, Texas' first jump however, he first made headlines in 2017 when he jumped for the first time on his 100th birthday. Mr. Blaschke served during World War II as an aircraft engineer and broke the Guinness World Record for the world's oldest tandem parachute jump when he jumped alongside his twin grandsons and longtime friend, Ms. Schleder back in 2020. By the way, he set the world record again during Monday's jump with Governor Abbott.

Ms. Schleder, in addition to skydiving and being active in her community, is a small business owner in Texas, and a former finalist on "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race" television shows.

Check out some video of the jump from WFAA in Dallas.

Way to go, Governor Abbott and Mr. Blaschke, it was a big day indeed.

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