FreeFlyFreaky

An email received as a cc: earlier today. Posted with the permission of the writer: Jessica, you and your family have my deepest sympathy. I offer my condolences. For anyone who knows me, you probably know that the best time I ever had in the military was the 4 months I spent in Colombia in 2004. I spent nearly all of that time with Pablo Castro and can attribute many of my positive experiences there with Pablo. To look at us you would not think that someone like myself nor he would have much in common. Our physical statures were quite different. Obviously, everyone knows Pablo was a very tall, dark, and handsom, extroverted exemplar of an Army infantryman. I, of course, am much shorter, skinnier, and on appearance can seem kind of nerdy and introverted. Well, Pablo thought the same of me the first time we ever met at the Parkhouse 101 Hotel in Bogota, Colombia. I recall sitting at the breakfast table with him one morning attempting to make small talk with him and he gave me the sort of begrudgingly respectful yet perceptibly cynical responses to my questions that often occurs between two men from different military services (Army vs. Air Force), and of different ranks (officer vs. enlisted). It wasn't until we were stationed further south in the jungle that he realized that we both share a great sense of adventure and had similar colorful senses of humor; in short we both love to 'work hard, and play hard'. My memories of him include him scooping me up out of river by my BDU collar and into a boat during jungle survival training, watching a Shakira concert in our luxurious house supplied by the US Embassy, going out salsa dancing every night of the week, playing cards and drinking the night away, watching him do his duty unswervingly by grabbing his pistol and confronting strangers one night when I informed him that some suspicious looking people were lurking in front of our house just a little too long, learning from him how to tie various knots with parachute rope, and watching him laugh out loud singing along to 'Ludakris' during our frequent trips along the treacherous highway between Bogota and Melgar. He is also the person who gave the nickname 'T-Bone'. Pablo kept in touch with me ever since then with his frequent funny emails that he sent to the people he cared about. We also on occasion conversed over email to catch up. I worried about him when he went to Iraq and was glad to know he came home safely. And now I am sad that I never got a chance to get down to Miami to visit him. The reason Pablo and I became friends was in no small measure due to his ability to let down his rough and tumble exterior on occasion to reveal a down to Earth core capable of laughing at himself with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. We played geography trivia once and he referred to himself as not being particularly 'book smart' and I reminded him of all the things he knew and could do better than me or most people. He was generous; one day an old, and battle-torn man, a Colobian veteran of the Korean War (who know the Colombians were our allies during the Korean War?), walked into our encampment asking for donations to help other such veterans. Pablo unhesitatingly offered up cash. We followed his lead and contributed as well. Nevertheless, I am heartened by the fact that Pablo lived authentically and passed through this life unapologetically, squeezing every last bit of excitement the world has to offer. I believe more of us should do the same. Pablo touched more lives than I think anyone, including he, will ever know. I miss him already. Respectfully, Tyrone A. West, Captain, USAF

Blue skies, brother. You and your family are in our prayers. Whit & Cindy

Blue skies, Big Papa. All our love to your family. Whit & Cindy

OK, it's been forever since I last posted and I don't log on that often, so if I'm the last to have seen this be kind. My uncle died recently and suffered from Alzheimer's in his last years. My dad shows some signs but the doctors swear it is not so. I've been curious about my possible fate and stumbled upon this website. http://www.alz.org/maintainyourbrain/ Pretty cool, huh? I don't know about you but I liked the image. My impression was that it lends credibility to our sport. Does anyone know who's in the picture?

one more...

Oops, I thought Tami was to my left. this photo same dive, my view. Cheers

Make sure somebody does a goggle check for Scotty. Photo of the love birds in action... Greetings Scotty & Tami! Whit

Had to chime here. I used to lurk a lot and post some, Sangiro featured a couple of my writings in the column section. I just happen to tap in and felt like writing to you guys. I just turned 46 on April 2. I have been lucky enough to be freeflying since jump 20 when I was taken on a head-down with Steve-O, and Larry at Skydive America in July of 2000. I’ve been lucky enough to be trained by and jump with the best in the world. I first saw “The Clouds Edge” in March 2000 and was A-licensed soon thereafter and began my jumping career with everyone in that video. It has been an amazing time ever since then. I just want to say thanks to all of you that I have gotten to know. I’m a guy who has done everything from Himalayan mountains to cave diving Florida’s springs. I lived an traveled and circumnavigated the world doing nearly everything you can imagine. Fishing, hunting, hiking, climbing, biking, racing, and flying all corners of the planet. Mountains, rivers, gorges and oceans have been my playground. I’ve been lucky to say the least. But it wasn’t until skydiving until I found my people. Of all the sports and activities I’ve ever done it has only been skydiving where I felt that everyone is an equal. Doesn’t matter your jump number. I’ve either been there or eventually will be. Whatever your number the quest is always the same. To be better next jump and enjoy the shit out of this one. Because this is it. This is it folks. Here and now amongst the greatest group of people on the planet sharing a special thing. The fun quotient is off the charts. Thanks for the fun. Wanna go jump? Whit oh btw, I don't look my age and will embarass the pants off of most of you young'ns

Icarus Crossfire - Pro Pack, Psycho Pack, Shit Pack, it always opens softly...

Yo, Z-dog...you turned down this jump...

Some jumps just have to be shared... Enjoy ftp://ftp.skydivingmovies.com/UPLOADS/Clouds.wmv

Hmmm, now there is a solution. Thanks Pete. I've got a new roll of gaffers tape that might come in handy too. [light bulb] I could gag him with a space ball!

Ahhhh No. Dre in the back seat of my first date definitely does not compute!

Yo Dre, I must defend myself...Yes, yes I blew your off...sorry dude, but 'the chick' in question is a very hot Brazilan that does my hair who slathers all over me while washing my hair. OK, so she didn't come this time and yes, the Beemer threw a rod at 135 mph down back stretch of airport road. I limped into the DZ Brazilianless and Dreless....what was a guy to do? So, I ask the audience: Were you in my shoes what would you do? Bring miss hottie or Dre? Scotty, where are you? Who would you rather me show up with this weekend?

So that's who that was... Now if you can tell me the name of guy with the green Javelin we can give proper credit to everyone on the dive.