PLANT CITY, Fla. — A World War II veteran wanted one thing for his 98th birthday: to go skydiving.

  • Veteran Lloyd Ahlschewede goes skydiving for birthday
  • He was airplane mechanic during WWII
  • The veteran wants to go bungee jumping for his 100th birthday

On Sunday, Lloyd Ahlschewede did just that. The Lakeland man jumped out of a plane at Jump Skydiving Florida in Plant City.

He says it was always something he wanted to do.

“I’ve never done it. Thought it would be an experience. I know it’s safe to be doing it, or they wouldn’t be doing it,” Ahlschewede said.

Ahlscheweden is no stranger to planes. He was airplane mechanic during WWII for the Army Air Corps.

“I took care of the airplane on the ground. I would have it ready for deployment and carrying bombs,” he said.

Seemingly without any nerves, the man who was born in 1921 got on the plane and did a tandem skydive on Sunday.

He jumped it in front of generations of family and friends, celebrating 98 years by dropping 11,000 feet. He landed safely and loved every minute of the jump.

“It was beautiful,” he said moments after landing. “Beautiful up there. Real quiet.”

When asked if he would do it again, Ahlschewede says he plans on bungee jumping when he turns 100.