kcogletree

Loving memories never die...we miss you, David F. Gilchrist, B29758 aka - Turn Rig! We look up to the heavens, today, knowing you're smiling down us for another year...BSBD C-ya!! O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Aloha Brudda, I just had a great time recently in Oahu, jumped both DZ centers, cause they were there...plenty of fun-jumpers to play with, took my gear, had a ball, great vibes from everyone. one center has to king air and the other a caravan and a couple of cessna's. Skydive Hawaii charges by altitude, Pacific was 23 to 14 grand. Hope this helps you and have the best skydives ever! BSBD! O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th 2007, a tragic, fatal, accident took one of the most enthused parachutist Skydive Taft has known. David Gilchrist will always be known as the first person on every load whether it was an otter or a Cessna. His love for his new found sport had him at Skydive Taft every weekend as early as possible and ready to fly. We will be celebrating his life with an ash dive memorial in the upcoming weeks. An exact date has not been set yet as we are still waiting for feedback from his parents. If you wish to send cards or letters of condolences please feel free to mail them to his parents, Robert and Ruth Gilchrist. They are in their late 80’s and would appreciate your thoughts. Their address is as follows; 192 Pheasant Hollow dr. Burr Ridge, IL 60527 Emails may be sent to his brother, John Gilchrist at [email protected]. We will keep everyone informed as to the date of his memorial. Blue Skies, Skydive Taft

DZO Carl has made me feel at home every time I've been here, as well as the rest of the staff. There's something here for everyone, no matter the number of jumps, style or disipline. Plenty of covered areas to pack and people to meet. Bunk it, tent it or passed out in the field, plan a few days to hang around. The casino gives skydivers'rates and is only a mile away. The parties are legendary and always fun at this DZ. Someone from the staff is always around to help anyone in need. Thanks for being here Elsinore, U Rock!

Since I'm a sticker freak, I was disappointed they had none, nor any patches or t-shirts. Basic no-frills DZ with a great vibe. Everyone we met was very nice and helpful. The 182 was ok by me and the pilot is great. Landing area is right next to the hanger with plenty of alternative outs. I'm surprised more people don't jump here, being so close to Fresno. Well that ok, I guess, since they only have the one plane. BSBD! C-ya!

In Loving Memory of David "Turn-Rig" Gilchrist...Rest in Peace. You will be forever missed and never forgotten. You had a way of making people smile, always easy going and loved this sport. You shared your time, heart and mind with us all, for that we are better people. My prayers are with the family and my faith is unwaivering that the Good Lord has a special place for us all to gather in the end, reunited! Heres' to ya, brother...fly free forever! O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

hey leslie,

Amazon Beachbum - trying my damndest! BirdWoman (& Mr. Feisty) Bolas (somehow, someway) da featherless 1 ebusto grimmie Guppie01 JasonRose kharkness - Count me in this year Labrys Lauraliscious Laura J, Esq. Livendive madjohn McBeth monkycndo NDfallrate NWFlyer SeaKev Selbbub78 Shell666 The Outlaws TheStepchild 'tree Turtlespeed Tx Tom O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Congrats on 13 years @ Taft DZ. Wish I could be there, but Peckerhead meat is at the same time. Have fun and be safe, everyone! BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Rat shit, bat shit dirty ole' twat, getty up Peckerhead, let's see what ya got! BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Okay, who's in..? Sound off..! I know the Latin and Rebel skydivers, the original Peckerheads and newbies like me... Blue Skies Black death C-YA O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Taft shamrock weekend!!! C-ya there... BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Hey Derek, I had a great time at SD Mesquite and I believe you will, too! The people are wonderful, the scenery is beautiful(for high desert) and everything else you need is local. You can read more of the reviews posted on DZ dot com., enjoy! The caravan will be there for awhile...C-ya! BSBD, 'tree O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

I'll be there saturday morining for the early bird and then pre-register. Hope to have a otter load for the early bird... wake up, people!!! C-ya... BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Bring It!! This is my favorite annual event, I've met some of the best people ever and a lot of bad-ass flyers from all over the country at this function. Leave your attitudes at home, come join us at altitude and have a weekend of fun. C-ya there... BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

March 30-31, April 1st at California City for the Peckerhead meat (meet). Fun for all! C-ya BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Eloy Rocks!!! I have a couple friends heading that way to compete, I'll be riding along with them, and making a few fun jumps over the weekend. Hope there is a good turn out and descent weather for all of us. BSBD C-ya O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

9 years old holding the four corners of a sheet as I leaped off the roof of my parents house...ouch 37 years old doing AFF 1 at Skydive California City BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Welcome back, hope you follow through with your AFF and on to a long skydiving career. You'll be a ambassador on your campus for the skydiving community...lead and they will follow. BSBD C-ya O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

To answer the question from Lloyd...two & two. I've been to only a handful of DZs and have met Black skydivers at all but a couple, yet I've seen Black tandem jumpers at all. Race, religion and politics are very touchy subjects in the U.S. because no one wants to offend anyone or they believe they'll be a target if they speak the truth of how they feel...I'd feel more comfortable around a racist in a sheet, with a swastika or a black panther tattoo than being around one that wore a suit and tie, uniform or hid behind the church. I decided to post here because I think we all are interested in the subject as reflected by how many hits this thread has received, yet only low percentage of those people have actually answered the original question, posted their opinion or responded in any manner at all. The love for my fellow man/woman doesn't stop at the color line and I believe everyone I've ever met on jump run feel the same, as mentioned earlier, we're all the same on the plane. Another point mentioned was we do tend to gravitate toward those that look like us, true since the day of the fall of the tower of Babel, also true in the rest of the animal kingdom. So now, if we all could see past the color of others skin how much more diverse would our sport be? Well, again we have different cultural backgrounds that tend to guide our activities, the risk we will take and the goals we wish to achieve. All of which I think are equally important and above all, a personal choice. America and Americans have been subject to much bigotry, oppression and unequality that we constantly battle to united as a people, hence to separation of types of Americans; i.e. African-American, German-American, Korean-American: not overlooking that only the Mexicans and Natives are the only original people of this land, the rest are all immigrants. One day we may live in a ideal world with no wars, crime or hatred. Til then... respect one another and peace shall overcome, one person at a time. Let's have pride and love for our human race. Well kinfolk, that's my 2 cents, spend it wisely. BSBD C-ya O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

High speed dirt- Megadeath BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

I imagined myself ascending Mt.Olympic as I drove up the mesa to the top on which the airport sits looking over the small town of Mesquite. Here the children of the sky would play and dance thousands of feet above the ground together during the Blue Sky Boogie. Following the directions to the dropzone had been easy and now I was here, welcomed with open arms, big smiles and warm hearts. The plan was to get here early on the first day to get a feel for the vibe, to get my waiver and gear check and meet the local jumpers. They couldn't have made it any easier, everyone was so nice and helpful. I was orientated on DZ policies and procedures, which made me feel good that safety is a priority and everyone is encouraged to keep it that way. With a large aerial of the area, landing zones and a number of outs I was confident and ready to get some altitude. First day, first load til the last day, last load, I jumped with some of the finest folks assembled anywhere on earth. Packing was a little tight considering the amount of people there, but the extra carpets were rolled outside each day to give us plenty of room. After jumping the green light came on and the party shifted gears toward the birthday celebration and film festival. Food was provided for the first day and beer all weekend (I even threw in a case of green bottles for landing over the beer line), bringing a lunch any other time would be a good idea. The Virgin River Hotel gives skydiver rates, has nice facilities and is no more that a mile away. After days of play, as I drove away, I glanced in the rearview, smiling, knowing I'd be back someday. BSBD! C-ya!!

The 405 freeway and L.A. traffic, crime, gangs, smog, etc... On the lighter side of things there is Six Flags (if you like standing in line for hours), a great coast line full of world-class breaks and bikinis (everyone should visit Venice beach at least once) and best of all four great DZ's within a hour and a half's drive from downtown.(Taft, Perris, California city and Lake Elsinore). O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild

Copy that, thanks for the tips, C-ya soon. BSBD O-kcsmm-aka-'tree American Warchild