ABBOTT GETS SOME SERIOUS AIR: Texas Gov Goes Skydiving With 106-Year-Old WW2 Vet [Watch]

On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott delivered on a promise he made to 106-year-old World War II veteran Al Blaschke —the two went skydiving at Skydive Spaceland San Marcos to honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans.

“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.”

From Abbott’s Office:

The Governor and Mr. Blaschke were joined for the jump by Texas National Guard soldiers, veteran advocate and Georgetown community leader Betty Schleder, and Skydive Spaceland professionals.

Mr. Blaschke of Georgetown, a World War II aircraft engineer, first made headlines skydiving for the first time on his 100th birthday in 2017. In 2020, Mr. Blaschke broke the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest tandem parachute jump alongside his twin grandsons and longtime friend, Ms. Schleder, in 2020, and he again set the world record during today’s jump with Governor Abbott. In addition to skydiving and being active in her community, Ms. Schleder is a small business owner in Texas and former finalist on “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” television shows.

Watch the clip above.