90-year-old Man Skydives for His Birthday

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AP / Bangor Daily News

Former Navy pilot Lester Slate jumped from a plane at 10,000 feet for his 90th birthday in Pittsfield, Maine.

Former Navy pilot Lester Slate learned how to use a parachute nearly 70 years ago during World War II but he didn’t skydive until this week — on his 90th birthday. On Sunday, Slate, with the help of a tandem skydiver, jumped from an airplane at 10,000 feet over Pittsfield, Maine, reports the Bangor Daily News. (Watch a video of him skydiving here.)

Slate says he was inspired by former president George H.W. Bush, who skydived on his 85th birthday in 2009. The jump, which was witnessed by more than 50 of his family members and friends, was Slate’s birthday present to himself. When asked if he enjoyed the parachute jump, Slate said he would like to do it again for his 95th or 100th birthday.

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