I haven't been around as long as some of these 'old' timers.  I started jumping with Dave Eisnor D-355, in Taunton, Mass. in April of 1968.

Great photos, Howard--Thanks.

Doc Stewart D-2785

I made my first jump at Orange Massachusetts on May 29th 1959.  I was among the first 100 students there.  My Instructor was Jacques Istel.  Bash Pond, Nate's father, was the pilot on my first jump.

Lew Sanborn was jumpmaster on jumps 2 through 6.  Nate Pond was part of the Instructor staff, and had just named a new parachute modification "The Gary Gore" for his son.

Returned home to Philadelphia and began jumping with the Valley Forge Parachute Club, later renamed the Delaware Valley Parachute Club.  Steve Snyder was one of the members and produced the first automatic opener for the reserve chute.  Charlie Hillard was visiting that summer (1959).  He and Steve had previously made the first free-fall baton pass in the U.S.  Bob Spatola was another moving force behind the Delaware Valley bunch.  Bill steinberg did most of the flying.

I later jumped with the Delaware club at Summit Station, and with the Ft. Dix/McGuire AFB club in New Jersey.

Other jumpers from that era include Joe Nichols, Jerry Irwin, Grant Hoffman, Paul Hoff, and others I can picture but whose names I can't recall.  It would be great to hear from any of the old gang.

Started jumping in Orangeburg S.C. in Feb. 62. Mace Coleman D96 put me out and I went on to start a club in Barnwell with Bobby Frierson. Made 201 jumps in 17 hrs in 73 to start the Marathon jumping. Anybody out there ever jump at Barnwell.

Woody Binnicker D624 

Hello all!  I would like to speak to some fellow "pioneers."  My first jump was in 1963 and I received my gold wings in 1970.  I'm a friend of Jacque Istel, Garth Taggert and Jim Arender.  If you all read this please contact me, I have lost touch over the years.  I was also the owner and editor of DZ USA Magazine from 1965-1972. 

If anyone wishes to contact me they can do so at Gene Hunnell, 3333 South Alameda, Apt 22J, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 or call me at 361-855-8561.