This morning I left rather early for the Drop Zone. I took the drive a little slower, I sat on the tailgate of my truck, in the dark, overlooking Fort Bragg’s famous Sicily Drop Zone. I watched the sun come up over the DZ. I am sucking in every last drop. This may very well be my last jump as a Paratrooper in “The DIV”, if I am not rehired after CGSC. A CH47 Army Aircraft as my last exit, how special is that? I am trying to take the same care of the moment as I do while watching my young son on his daily adventures in his little life. These moments are special, they are fleeting and numbered. I have now served in the 82 ABN DIV longer then any other unit or organization. I have also lived here in the Fort Bragg area, in the same home, longer then any other place in my life (15 years). Life. We built a life here. A real life. A special life with my wife Kelly, my son Ari, and the Paratroopers, leaders, and friends in this historic site. I was given the command, “GO!” The static Safety lifts her arm out of the way to let me travel down the ramp. I walk off, into the fall. The chute opens at 8,000. Everything goes silent. I look at the canopy then to the Paratroopers around me. It settles and I see it. The sun just peaking over the tree tops. “What a perfect June morning”, I thought to myself. I savored the moment under canopy. It will be my last. The 10,000 things are finally gone, if only for 30-40 seconds. It’s finally calm in my head. I am free. The Fifth Point of Performance is flawless as was the entire jump. I took time after my landing to pack my chute and finally bury my wings on the Drop Zone. It was a little emotional. As I leave, possibly to never return, know this. I was here. I lived it, I loved it, all of it. Every second. The good and the bad. I will find the path back, or I will make one. This is our home. Home. Kelly, Ari, and finally DIVARTY thank you. I love you. Calm winds & soft landings…we’ll see you on the Drop Zone! de SDNZ, out. #BeBetter #MakeArtilleryGreatAgain #MakeAirborneGreatAgain #aatw #wetsu #LifeIsTooShortToBeALeg #airborne #DeathFromAbove #319afar #Paratrooper #MassTheFire #BringingSexyBack #TheDivision #jumpfightwintonight (at Sicily Drop Zone) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cezdj9SLe0E/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=















