My First Jump We were training to be parachute riggers. The Navy's formal title to be given to us after training was Aircrew Survival Equipmentman. In short, we packed the parachutes that the Navy's pilots depended on, should a quick ejection be needed, like being shot down in combat. The Navy did not trust us to pack those chutes unless we had the confidence to actually make a jump, using a parachute that we packed for ourselves. That first jump was quite memorable You form a bond with your fellow classmates, like a band of brothers There is no way that you are going to let them down, even if you are scared and unsure of taking that step from the door of the plane into thin air. I was in the middle of the line, and I was not going to be a discouragement to the one behind me. So, I followed the one in front out the door. There was no static line connection. That's right, our first jump was free fall, meaning we pull our own ripcord to get the chute to open Training now requires 5 static line jumps before advancing to free fall But. back in 1971, they had us all exit the plane with our hand grip ping the ripcord. We were told that once, in the past, a trainer had failed to pull the cord. When they found his y, there was evidence of clawing on the nylon covering of the pack. A failed, panicked-driven attempt at searching for the ripcord: So we were told. Anyway, on exiting the plane, we were suppose to count down from six, then pl the ripcord. In my own state of panic. I not only had my eyes sealed shut, but my mind was a blank, and I failed to do the countdown. I don't know how much te transpired, but obviously it was not too mich, for I am still here. It was a voice in my head that saved me saying loud and clear, Pull that rip- cord." So I did. I must have been tmbling in the air because the jerk was really hard when the chute opened There were instructor spotters on the ground. Noting stood out as unusual about my jump, meaning that "voice" was spot-on with the countdown time. Jump number two was totally different. My eyes were open, I did the full countdown, and I even spread out my arms and legs, giving me that sensation of gliding through I have made many other jumps" in my life, though not out of a plane; like going to college after the Nav and later leaving a good paying job to buy a resort on 2nd Crow Wing Lake. Wow, was that ever a step that was loaded with financial risk and uncertainties. There have been many others. Now, I am 66 years old and semi-retired. Yet, I am still ready to make another jump. After serving for 18 years on Hubbard County's Planning Commission/ Board of Adjustment, I am ready to try moving that level of service to the community up a notch, to serve as your Commissioner in District 3. Having worked for a large company for 13 years, successfully owning my own small business for over 20 years, and being a realtor for 5 years, I have a wide range of skill sets, and I am capable of adopting new ideas to make things work better. I would appreciate our vote in November Choose Tom Krueger as your Commissioner in District 3 on November 6th Stay safe and enjoy your 4th of July with family and friends.