In The News:

Two lovers leap after 60 years of marriage
'We're boring' sparks adventure

By Marcela Creps, Herald-Times Staff Writer
August 28, 2004  

GREENSBURG — Sixty years ago, when Albert and Esther McDaniel were married, her maid of honor asked her if she was sure she wanted to go through with it.

On Friday, Mary Hershberger was at Esther's side again, asking the same question, but for a different reason.

To celebrate 60 years of marriage, Albert, 88, and Esther, 81, of Martinsville, decided to go skydiving.

"We woke up one morning, and he said, 'We're boring,'" Esther recalled Albert saying. "'We don't do anything exciting anymore.'"

Deciding to do something about it, they found a newspaper article about the Never Too Late Foundation, which grants wishes to the elderly.

"They set it up for us," Esther said.

Friends and family were shocked and impressed at the couple's decision.

Their son, Dennis, said he had been praying about the event since their decision in April.

"I wasn't the least bit concerned," Dennis said. "They were in good hands."

After getting the all-clear from their doctor, the couple worked with Skydive Greensburg, which paired experienced tandem jumpers with each of them.

Their marriage has been full of adventure. The couple had already been whitewater rafting and parasailing.

What makes their story even more unique is that Esther is legally blind, and Albert is hard of hearing.

"A team they are," Hershberger said. "They were just made for each other."

After watching and listening to the instructional video, the couple rode a golf cart to the airplane that would take them on their adventure.

Outside the plane and wearing bright yellow Skydive Greensburg T-shirts, the couple renewed their wedding vows with grandson Dennis McDaniel Jr., an ordained minister, officiating.

Before the ceremony, Esther had only one concern.

"He has never asked to marry me," Esther said.

After some cajoling, Albert asked for her hand.

"Can I let you know tomorrow?" Esther answered.

"You better answer me real soon before I change my mind," Albert warned.

According to Never Too Late founder Bob Haverstick, this is the foundation's first request for skydiving.

"And we're almost to 600 wishes," Haverstick said.

As the couple prepared for their tandem jump, Albert, who was a gunner on a B-24 bomber in World War II, checked out the plane. Esther asked how long before they would hit the ground.

"It depends on if you open the parachute," quipped Dennis Anderson, who jumped tandem with Albert.

Neither seemed nervous, and proclaiming excitement about the adventure, the couple made their way to the plane.

Family and friends anxiously waited on the ground as the small figures in the sky made their way down.

"I didn't say a word," Esther recalled later of her jump. "I said, 'Whoopee.'"

Albert was happy to see the family doctor, Thomas Martin of Martinsville, who made it to the airport just in time to see the couple land.

"He came to pick up the pieces," Albert joked.

"I was surprised, certainly surprised," Martin said of the couple's decision to skydive. "They're remarkable people."

After landing, the couple spent time with all who came to share the momentous occasion.

"I can't say that I was scared at all," Albert said while Esther confessed, "I'm weak in the knees."

During the renewal of vows ceremony, Dennis Jr. was able to sum up the day's event.

"Love is not a feeling," Dennis Jr. said. "Love is an action."

Got the nerve?

For more information about skydiving, check out www.skydivegreensburg.com or call 800-SKYDIVE or (812) 663-DIVE.

Reporter Marcela Creps can be reached at 331-4338 or by e-mail at mcreps@heraldt.com.

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