Parachutes, Then Fireworks Over the Golf Course Friday
On July 3, local veteran Dustin Blackwell will take part in a parachute jump out of a World War II plane over Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club.
Blackwell and several other skydivers will jump from a Douglas C-47 Skytrain known as “That’s All, Brother.” This plane made history on June 6, 1944, when it led 800 other C47s carrying more than 13,000 American paratroopers into Normandy during the Allied invasion of Europe. “That’s All, Brother” was nearly lost to history before being rediscovered and brought back to flying condition by the Commemorative Air Force.
“This plane is a lot older than some of the other ones,” Blackwell said. “They don’t do a whole lot of air shows because they’re trying to keep this plane in the best shape as they can. It’s got the most historic value when it comes to the D-Day Invasion.”
Blackwell served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. He has jumped from C-47s twice before. Most memorably, he jumped from a C-47 during the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion in 2024.
“When you get inside it, it’s like flying in a Coke can,” Blackwell said.
Blackwell said the goal of paratrooping is to put the most amount of lethal fighting force within a small area as fast as you can. In World War II, C47s carried about 22 to 26 jumpers. During his time in the service, Blackwell said he jumped mainly from C-130s.
“It’s almost like a commercial airline,” he said. “You can put a lot more guys on them.”
While the newer planes are a lot more capable, Blackwell said he enjoys jumping from the old World War II planes.
“It’s more than the nostalgia,” he said. “It’s the sound and the feeling you get in your body. It’s almost like you’re living through these guys (from World War II) all over again. Your heart goes to beating real fast. Everything changes about that jump. It’s hard for me to put into words.”
Blackwell said his jumps from C-47s have been quite enjoyable.
“Aside from the emotional aspect of it, it’s a really smooth transition once you get out of the aircraft,” Blackwell said. “The C-47 is doing about 90 to 120 knots. It’s not violent like people think. It’s almost like you bail out and go down a slide of air.”
Blackwell said the skydiving demonstration over Frisch Auf is scheduled to take place around 6:15-6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3.
The plane will make a low-level flyby before he and a group of about seven or eight parachutists will perform a jump demonstration. Be sure to arrive early for a good view. The jump will take place just ahead of a fireworks show at Frisch Auf.