90-year-old Maine man skydives for first time

By The Associated Press
Monday, July 16, 2012

PITTSFIELD, Maine — A Maine man who learned how to use a parachute as a Navy pilot during World War II has finally made his first jump — at age 90.

Lester Slate of Exeter jumped out of a plane for the first time Sunday at Pittsfield Airport and was guided to the ground by a tandem jumper, and accompanied by another skydiver trailing a U.S. flag.

The jump was a 90th birthday present to himself. More than 50 family and friends watched.