This issue of PARACHUTIST started my skydiving experience. I was stationed in Ramstein Germany in 1974 when if found the January 1974 issue in the magazine rack in our barracks. I got intrigued and read the whole thing. Then I set out to find the guy whose name was on the label. I found Dave Marks (thanks Dave where ever you are). He had made one static line jump in Zweibrucken a few months earlier. He showed me his logbook and his notes from the first jump course. I was immediately hooked and was ready to do it but it was near time to return to the US. I made the decision to find a drop zone as soon as I got established back home. I was soon stationed on Lackland AFB in San Antonio Texas and discovered the Alamo Skydivers run by ex Golden Knight Larry Van Horne. In July 1975 I made my first static line jump with Larry in Pleasanton, Texas. I looked just like this picture: motorcycle helmet, combat boots, round C9 main, chest mount reserve. I joined USPA right away and received my first issue of PARACHUTIST in September 1975. I never looked back. Funny how things get started. If I hadn't found this magazine by accident, who know how I would have spent the next 30 years. Changed my life, that's for sure!
