On 100th birthday, US man gifts himself skydiving lessons

Perris, California: When Vernon Maynard’s friends asked him what he wished he had done in his 100 years of life, the Southern California man said he had always wanted to jump from a plane with a parachute. The retired car dealer got the chance to mark his centenarian birthday on Monday by doing just that. [caption id=“attachment_1210843” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Vernon Maynard skydives. AP.[/caption] Jean Walcher of the U.S. Parachute Association says Maynard and his two great nephews made their first skydive along with trained instructors from 13,000 feet (3,900 meters) southeast of Los Angeles. Skydive Perris manager Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld says Maynard obtained a doctor’s note before making the jump. Maynard’s daughter Linda Hironimus says her father’s friends made arrangements for him to skydive after he said he always wanted to try it. Maynard, who hails from Nebraska, lives in Palm Desert. AP