It’s a Really Big World, Just Open Your Eyes!

No more questions, regrets or sighs left after two years of doubts and apprehension about this enormous decision.  His partner, who had accepted this quest to join him in this challenge was extremely anxious, but was displaying the persona of being cool and calm. It was finally time, time for him to meet and beat this fear, the fear of “HEIGHT,” which he had faced all of his life. Every minute slowly passed with growing excitement and anticipation as we approached the Golden Knights Headquarters facility and then I opened the door with “Welcome to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Matt Roloff, today’s the day!”  Matt is the patriarch of the Roloff family on TLC’s Little People, Big World.

Matt gazed up at the gleaming Golden Knight statue that staunchly stands watch at the historical shrine, which is dedicated to all of the team members who have honorably served the team in the past fifty years. Jeremy walked closely behind his dad peering up in awe to the parachute architecture framing the entrance of the building.

As we entered through the doors Matt and Jeremy were overtaken by the multitude of enormous World cups, medals and awards surrounding them. Matt said, that”he just could not believe all these trophies, they are the worlds best aren’t they?” SFC Michael Elliott, Tandem Team leader rounded the corner of the shy high trophy case and greeted Matt and Jeremy to the US Army Parachute Team. The Team Executive Officer, CPT Michael Funderburk, Operations Officer, CPT Ben Terwillenger and the teams 1^st SGT Bryan Schnell came in to meet and welcome both Matt and Jeremy to the home of the Golden Knights.

SFC Elliott proceeded to show Matt and Jeremy a historical team movie followed by a DVD waiver review, tandem training, equipment instruction and document signage.  The session concluded with questions and answers and then they put on a specially designed jumpsuit and rig for the grand finally. The JUMP!

We packed up the crew and passengers and headed for the team hanger meeting MAJ Craig Blackwood and CW4 Dan Madorski to prepare for the great launch off to the team drop zone at Laurinburg, NC.  Jeremy was overcome with excitement saying, “he couldn’t wait to just sit in the door of the plane and take it all in,” meanwhile, dad just starred out the door watching as the plane got higher and higher. Matt asked,”How high are we now?”  SFC Elliott said, ”Well Matt, we are only about three thousand feet now, we’ll be a lot higher than this when we jump, about two and half miles above the earth.”

We landed at the drop zone and the crew exited the teams Twin Otter and prepared for the shoot. Meanwhile, SFC Elliot took Matt over to the mock airplane door to practice the exit from the air plane and SGT Jared Zell interviewed him concerning his jump for the video production. As SFC Elliott was getting his tandem rig, SSG Jon Ewald introduced himself to Jeremy as his tandem master and gave him his helmet, goggles and gloves for his protection during the jump. He could not hide his eagerness and tried to project a brave stature in this unknown venture. All the while, SSG Joe Abeln his free fall photographer documented Jeremy’s preparation and highlighted the bright orange “WARNING” sign on back of the harness he was wearing.

Well the moment of truth arrived. They all hopped on the aircraft and climbed to thirteen thousand five hundred feet. SSG Zell stepped out and was hanging on the side of the plan for that giant step. Ready, set, go and Matt was airborne. For the first time in his life he was totally speechless flying as free as a bird. He waived, smiled and spun through the air with total peace and happiness. Upon his landing he was ecstatic, he kept saying, that he couldn’t believe it, He had jumped out of an airplane. “It was the most awesome experience of my life, Wow! I did it, I really did it, and I want to do it again.”

SSG Ewald gently slid Jeremy in with a soft landing behind his dad and he came running over with a huge grim. Matt turned around, high fived his son and said, “Well what do you think?”  Jeremy said, “I loved it, just standing in that door, oh my gosh it was unreal, I loved it! I want to come back and do it again, I loved it!”

I asked Jeremy if he had ever thought about joining the Army and he said,” I want to be a photographer.” I said, you can and what better place. Look at the Soldiers that just jumped with you wearing camera helmets and Sean a former Golden Knights who was documenting his jump, who was now working in my office. They all pursued a photography career field in the Army and it was a life long skill they will always have. Jeremy proudly stood in front of our plane held up his arm showing off his muscles and said, “I am Army Strong.”

SFC Elliott presented them with a tandem certificate for their first jump, a lithograph and team coin.  They graciously accepted the awards, thanked and shook hand with every one there and proceeded to the aircraft for their journey home. Matt said, “It will be an experience I will never forget, I still can’t believe I really jumped, it doesn’t seem real, it’s like a dream.”

Prior to their departure they spoke with SSG George Perez about his experiences as a Soldier and serving in IRAQ. They thanked Perez for his service to the country and wished him their best. Perez is a wounded warrior who lost his leg in IRAQ and now serves with the Gold Demonstration Team traveling around the world telling the Army story. SSG Perez just completed a three week Warrior Leadership Course and now will be heading out with the team to the Chicago Air and Water Show.

Two years ago the Gold Demonstration Team lead by SFC JD Berentis did an Air show in Oregon. They visited the Roloff Farm and extended an invitation to them to join the team for a Tandem Parachute jump. They gracefully declined but did accept a media flight for the show. Matt said, “As the year passed and another came upon me I continued to question myself concerning the loss of such an opportunity. When it came up again I jumped on it!”

 The Tandem Team focuses on bringing the public closer to the Army and the sport of skydiving. Invitations are sometimes extended to influential citizens and this enables the Army to reach out and give them a taste of the professionalism, leadership and teamwork that is involved in giving them a tandem. Tandem jump opportunities are used as a recruiting tool and used to show the American public how the Army utilizes their skills (as in dropping equipment or personnel behind enemy lines) to save lives. Through this once in a life time experience, the individuals participating in a tandem jump actually put their lives in the hands of Soldiers portraying all members of service that fight to protect them each and every day.

Matt and Jeremy meet the flight crewJeremy RoloffJeremy & SSG Ewald exiting planeCongrstulation's Matt