Patriots and parachutes
With windswept hair and one bloodied elbow, Dave Sheldon and Nathan Newby made safe landings Friday during their 9/11 skydive to honor veterans and those killed or still suffering from the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on New York City.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
DZONE owner Jeremy Divan prepares Dave Sheldon for his first skydive jump Friday as DZONE's Derreck Sfachios Fischer, far left, prepares Nathan Newby.
Navy vet Dave Sheldon puts on the dog tags of the late SPC. Nicholas Newby as his mom, Theresa Hart, and stepdad James Hart take in the moment. Sheldon wore them to honor Newby when he jumped out of a plane for his first time on Friday.
Dave Sheldon and DZONE owner Jeremy Divan sail to the earth on a sunny Friday afternoon.
Nathan Newby rides with DZONE Skydiving professional Derreck Sfachios Fischer during a commemorative skydive experience Friday at the Coeur d'Alene Airport.
Gary Pomeroy skydives in memory of his late sister, Linda Schultz, and to honor veterans and 9/11 victims during a special skydiving event at the Coeur d'Alene Airport on Friday.
Dave Sheldon's wife Carla, in the patriotic dress, joins family and friends in searching the skies for the plane carrying her husband on Friday. Dave landed safely, minus a scratched up elbow.
Theresa Hart cannot wait to hug her son Nathan Newby once he's safely on the ground after participating in a commemorative skydive on Friday.
"I'm nervous," Theresa Hart said, walking briskly down a dry dirt road near the Coeur d'Alene Airport. "My life is up there."
She looked to the blue sky, shielding her eyes from the glaring sun as she searched for the plane that carried her son, Nathan Newby, and friend, Navy veteran Dave Sheldon.
The duo was on the second DZONE Skydiving plane, jumping for a purpose on Friday. Sheldon, 67, of Hayden, chose to participate in this adventure on Sept. 11 to honor the memory of those whose lives were lost or forever changed on 9/11. He has been collecting funds to donate to 9/11 Health Watch, a nonprofit that provides quality medical care and compensation for injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors.
He has also been raising funds and awareness for Newby-Ginnings of North Idaho, which supports local vets. It was founded by Hart in memory of her eldest son, SPC. Nicholas Newby, who was killed in action July 7, 2011.
Dave was taken aback when Hart blessed him with Nick's dog tags to wear during the jump.
"I'm honored to be able to wear them," he said, clutching them over his heart.
A large group amassed to watch the excitement including friends, neighbors, fellow veterans, media and pals from Syd Albright's history club, of which Sheldon is a member.
Before Nathan and Sheldon went up, Sheldon's pal Gary Pomeroy of Coeur d'Alene made the leap during the first flight. As well as honoring those lost on 9/11, he was also jumping for his sister, Linda Schultz, who died last month. He was with her the only other time he went skydiving in 2003.
"It's overwhelming," Pomeroy said. "I get teared up."
It was a whirlwind of exhilaration as everyone geared up and spectators drove in a convoy to the landing site. People peered through binoculars and watched with great anticipation as the planes, then parachutes came into sight.
Pomeroy had a bit of a sprained ankle after an intense landing.
Nathan made a smooth landing, smiling as he sailed to the ground.
"That was amazing," Nathan said.
Finally, Dave made as graceful of a landing as he expected.
"Skydiving is a dangerous sport," he said, smiling despite a bloodied elbow. "But it's fun."
