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| National Skydiving Museum Honors Golden Knights 08-14-2010 [see Alumni] |
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Condolences for William "Bill" Jolly 06-14-2010 Chuck Hornsby 06-30-2010 [see Condolences] |
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| Lew Sanborn | Cheryl Stearns | Gene Paul Thacker | |||
Ranger Training Brigade
Inducts Golden Knight,
Gary O'Neal
into Hall of Fame
July 9, 2010
[see Alumni]
to be Interned at
Arlington Cemetary
08-31-2010
[see Condolences]
| June 16, 2010 | Retirement Celebration for SGM Michael "Ike" Eitniear | ||
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Join in the festivities honoring the military and Team service of SGM Michael "Ike" Eitniear who is retiring from active duty in June 2010. The celebration is being held at Team HQ at 1100h (11a) on June 16, 2010. Click here to view his Roster profile. |
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| 05-21-2010 | Change of Responsibility Ceremony | ||
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On Friday 21, 2010 at 10:00a, at Team HQ in Fort Bragg, NC, SGM Stephen Young formally accepted the SGM Young, who enlisted in 1984, brings more than 25 years of military service to the Team. |
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| 04-17-2010 | Gold Team Jumps to Honor Teammates Lost in 1973 Crash |
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The Golden Knights performed a memorial jump in Silk Hope, NC on April 17th, 2010 to honor those who were lost in the 1973 crash of the C-47. The Team jumped at the baseball field next to the fire department. Approximately 5000 to 7000 people attended this event and the nearby county fair. Silk Hope is the location of the crash that of the C-47 that killed all on board on March 8, 1973. Members of the Golden Knights were en route to Overland, KS on a recruiting mission. This special jump was a rededication of the memorial plaque to those who lost their lives. Click here to view a memorial tribute. |
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| 04-14-2010 | Breaking World Records | ||
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Congratulations to Ben Borger who broke the World Record for farthest distance traveled
while in free fall. On April 14, 2010, SSG Ben Borger exited a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft that was flying at an altitude of 32,000 feet and captured the Guiness World Record for farthest distance traveled while in free fall, 11.5 miles. The record was set early in the morning at Altus Air Force Base in OK, and beats the record of 10 miles that SSG Borger set last year in winter training at Yuma, AZ. Congratulations also to the many people from Altus AFB and from the Golden Knights who participated in this event, and who helped make it a success. Click here to learn more. |
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| 03-11-2010 | Change of Command | ||
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| 12-2009 | Congratulations to Those Honoroed at the 50th Anniversary Reunion | ||
| Photographer of the Year 2009 -
Steven Robertson Golden Knight of the Year 2009 - Ryan Ray Golden Knight of the Year 2008 - Galen Barker Civilian of the Year 2008 - Darrin Grim Civilian of the Year 2009 - Sean Capogreco Aviator of the Year 2008 - Brett Roszell Aviator of the Year 2009 - Allen Aber Honorary Golden Knights 2008: Joe Buergeron, Pete Jacobs, Lenny Potts, Paul Stender, Pat Thomas, Jay R. Wardwell Honorary Golden Knights 2009: -Wayne & Catherine Boggs, Stuart Cooke, Liz Comp, William "Mac" Maciborski, Harry E. Arter, Leroy "LEM" Morgan, Jose Rodriguez, Laurie "Truck" Sams |
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| 10-2009 | Golden Knights Win at Nationals- Congratulations Golden Knights! | ||
| US National Parachuting Competition The Golden Knights win "Gold" in the 10-Way and "Silver" in the 8-Way Team Competitions. The Women's Style and Accuracy team placed 3rd overall. SFC Elisa Feldt Tennyson placed 1st in both Style and Accuracy. SSG Angela "AJ" Nichols placed 3rd in Accuracy. SFC Greg Windmiller placed 1st in Speed, set a new Texas state record and US record in distance, and scored the first perfect 100 ever awarded in competition for Accuracy. Well done, Golden Knights! |
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| 08-14-2010 | National Skydiving Museum Honors Golden Knights | |||
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| 07-09-2010 | Ranger Training Brigade Honors Gary O'Neal | |||
| The Ranger Training Brigade is inducting Golden Knight, Gary O'Neal, into its Ranger Hall of Fame. Commander COL Douglas L. Flohr invites you to attend the ceremony on Friday, July 9, 2010, 1pm at: Bill Heard Theater River Center for the Performing Arts 900 Braodway Columbus, GA 31905 RSVP: matt.hanson@conus.army.mil 706.544.6069 [mention Gary] Dress: Inductees - Coat/Tie Others - Duty/Casual "Rangers Lead the Way" |
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| 05-21-2010 | The Spider Wrenn Memorial Day Room | |||
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One of the events during the celebration of the Change of Responsibility came as a complete surprise to Bobby "Spider" Wrenn. In December at the Golden Knight 50th Anniversary Reunion, fellow Legacy Award Winner, Skippy Cassel, presented Spider with the award shown at left. The award honors Spider's contributions to the Team, contributions which span decades. Both as an active and as a retired Team member, Spider has been dedicated to serving the interests of the U S Army Parachute Team. Among his many contributions are managing the bi-annual reunions, rewriting the Golden Knight Song with the Army Band and producing the Alumni newsletter with his beautiful wife, honorary Golden Knight Nancy.
Today, following the Change of Responsibility Ceremony, SSG Aaron Fiegel asked Spider what he thought about his Plaque which was mounted above the door of the Day Room. Much to our surprise, Spider did not recall having seen it before and did not realize its significance. Well we quickly changed that!
SGM Stephen Young announced to those assembled for the Change of Responsibility events, that Spider has been honored for his contributions to the Team by having the Day Room designated the Spider Wrenn Memorial Day Room. Spider certainly earned the congratulations and standing ovation that were offered by all. Spider said, that he was totally speechless and that he had never been hit so hard by anything like this in his life. The glossy, black plaque includes an etched photo of Spider, his wife Nancy landing a "bunny" parachute and Spider landing his world famous "Black Spider" parachute ( jumped more than 30 years ago). The plaque, which proclaims "You're the Man", also displays Spider's signature closing remark, a now legendary saying which Spider originated at an airshow decades ago (see quote below). Spider's signature closing remark has now been said millions of times by hundreds of Golden Knights both here at home and internationally. It, like Spider, is a huge part of the Team legacy.
Thank you Spider, and to you we say: "May your days be prosperous and may your nights be Golden" [source: Donna Dixon - USAPT Media Relations] |
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| Ongoing | Donate Your Trophies to the Golden Knight Musuem |
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| Donate your old trophies for the new trophy cases at the Golden Knight Museum. Attach a note with the name of the recipient, event, location, year and other important details for the history books. Your can bring your trophies to the Reunion. | ||||
| 01-2010 | Congratulations to the New Board of Directors - Golden Knights Alumni Association: |
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| Bruce Wicks - President Charlie Hall - Vice President Karen Morrison - Secretary Gary Winkler - Treasurer |
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| 11-2009 | James "Skip" Cassel Injured in Cannon Blast | |||
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November 11, 2009 |
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| 10-2009 | Bob McDermott Attends Red Devils Reunion | |||
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| 10-2009 | "Spider" Wrenn Leaving GKAA Board after 2009 | |||
| MSG (Ret) Bobby "Spider" Wrenn is stepping down as Association Treasurer and Reunion Organizer after 2009. Spider, who is a former 1SG of the Team, looks forward to just being an Alumni Association member in the future. Thanks, Spider, for a superb job, extremely well done. It is time for the next generation to step up and provide the level of service to the GKAA that Spider has done since the Alumni Association began. | ||||
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| 08-31-2010 | Internment Service for Roger Pickett at Arlington Cemetary |
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Roger Pickett who passed away in April (see below), will be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetary at 1100h (11a) on August 31, 2010. The observance includes services in the Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel and internment of the cremated remains. MAJ Pickett is being accorded full Army honors: band, 6 body bearers, bugler, caisson, escort and firing party. Those attending must arrive at least 1/2 hour prior to the services and have transporation to/from the Chapel. Ask the guards at the Arlington Gates for directions to the Chapel. |
| 06-30-2010 | Chuck Hornsby |
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D-515, who passed away on June 30, 2010 after a long fight with ALS. Chuck served in the Army, the Marines and was a US Army Parachute Team member during the early 60s. |
| 06-24-2010 | Pioneer Sport Parachutist, William G. Jolly - ["Bill"], D-26, lived a full and fearless life until age 87. His last jump was at age 80 with the Golden Knights. Stepson, Dan, says Bill always told him, "Nothing is impossible. The impossible just takes more time, more money, and an unstoppable desire to succeed." Bill is remembered for his friendhsip, support, inspiration, strong will, and love for the USA. |
| 05-09-2010 | Wil "Squeak" Charette |
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Who died suddenly on May 9, 2010. Wil is survived by wife, Amy, to whom we extend our sympathies. Wil was an "Original"
in many ways: on the early STRAC teams in 1959-1961, on the USAPT in 1961 and certainly
as an individual. Wil was an early HALO concept instructor, helped overcome breathing challenges in high-altitude parachuting, was a leader in the Special Forces and CIA, and much more. You can contact Amy at |
| 04-30-2010 | Roger Montgomery Pickett, Sr |
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Who died April 30, 2010 after a long battle with cancer. Retired MAJ Pickett of Kinston, NC was a member of the US Army Special Forces and Special Operations, a friend of the Team, and worked with many teammates at the MFF Committee (Military Free Fall). In 1980, MAJ Pickett made the first military Tandem jump with SGM Santos Matos as the passenger. MAJ Pickett made the 2-person harness system used in the jump. Photo Courtesy of Operational Test Command (OTC) website: http://www.otc.army.mil/Hall%20of%20Fame/pickett.htm |
| 04-21-2010 | Team mate, Jim "Skippy" Cassel, on the loss of Skippy's mother on April 21, 2010. The family appreciates all expressions of sympathy. In lieu of flowers, however, the family suggests a donation to: Family Readiness Group, USAPT -
Golden Knights Alumni Assn -
PO Box 70126 -
Fort Bragg, NC 28310 or to GKAA - PO Box 42401 - Fayetteville, NC 28309 If you do make a donation, please note that your expression is in honor of the Cassel family. |
| 04-02-2010 | Retired CSM Francis "Ray" Hinson, 75, who died Friday, April 2, 2010 in Hope Mills, NC. Ray was on the Team 1966-1967, and also served with the 7th SFG (Abn) and the 101st Adn Div. Services for Ray are being held Wednesday, April 7 at Jernigan and Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville, NC. |
| 02-28-2010 | Honorary Golden Knight, Charles "Pop" Johnson, who passed away Sunday, February 28, 2010. |
| 12-2009 | Mike Novasell Jr who succumbed to cancer. Funeral is in Panama City, FL on Thursday, December 17, 2009. |
| 10-25-2009 | Loy "Top" Brydon |
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Loy Brydon, an original STRAC and USAPT member, died October 25, 2009. A memorial for Loy was conducted in conjunction with the dedication of the Golden Knight statue in December. To read memories and comments contributed by Loy's friends, click here. |
| Ongoing | Discount to Military Lowes Home Improvement Centers offer a 10% discount to military personnel. Your Golden Knight ID card will also get you this discount. |
| Ongoing | Want a Black TEAM Jacket? Order a Black Team Jacket directly from: JEB Designs, ATTN: Greg Edge, PO Box 65149, Fayetteville, NC 28306, 910 423-7676. printem@aol.com The cost is $140.00 + SH and includes the team embroidery on the back and personalized embroidery on the front. The jackets are shipped directly to you. Patches are not included. Order patches from the Golden Knights Store. Contact Bobby "Spider" Wrenn for information about where to place the patches. |
| 05-17-2010 | What's New on the Website Tribute to Those Lost in the C-47 Photos from the New World Record Hero shots for 2009/2010 members. More Reunion shots. New photos added throughout all the time. |
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| 01-2010 | Knighting on YouTube See the Knighting ceremony of the founding and original Golden Knights on YouTube |
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| 01-2010 |
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| Ongoing | Updating the Website with Your Photos and Information We welcome your contributions and thank those who have already shared their mementos and memories. We have collected a wealth of new material. It has taken 50 years to create this history. It won't take that long to update the website, but it will take a significant effort. Please be patient. Keep checking the site over the next months and see what's new. And keep sending in your material. |
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