World War II veteran celebrates 106th birthday with skydive with Abbott

Gov. Greg Abbott made a 106-year-old World War II veteran’s birthday all the more memorable by accompanying the gentleman on a skydive. The Office of the Texas Governor said Abbott, a Republican, and Al Blaschke went to Skydive Spaceland San Marcos on Blaschke’s special day. The men were flown in a de Havilland DHC-6-200-Twin Otter aircraft and leapt from 8,500 feet above the ground. This extraordinary event occurred recently at Skydive Spaceland San Marcos in Texas.

The attendees of this unique birthday celebration weren't limited to just Gov. Abbott and Mr.Blaschke. Abbott’s release added that Texas National Guard soldiers, veteran advocate and Georgetown community leader Betty Schleder, and Skydive Spaceland professionals attended the jump.
According to the governor’s office, Blaschke, a World War II aircraft engineer, has marked a previous birthday with a skydive.
When he turned 100 in 2017, his feat made headlines, the release said.

Blaschke's adventures didn't stop at his centennial birthday; in fact, they seemed to be just beginning. Three years later, Blaschke, a Georgetown native, shattered the Guinness World Record for the world's oldest tandem parachute jump, according to the release.
He was joined by Schleder and his twin grandsons.

This year's celebrations proved to be an even bigger milestone for Mr.Blaschke. His jump with the governor also set a world record, according to the governor’s office.
"What a way to start the week," Abbott said in a Tweet following to the event.