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Parachute Jumpers Part of Arsenal Celebration
The 150th anniversary of a big area employer that the general public just doesn't get to see very often was celebrated over the weekend.

The birthday is that of the Rock Island Arsenal. Tours of many of the arsenal's buildings, a parade, family activities, and live entertainment all could be had Saturday -- along with a demonstration by the elite U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.

Several members of the squad made precision jumps from 12-thousand feet overhead, landing near perfectly on a "X" placed on a field.

One of the jumpers was Sergeant Timothy O'Neal of Wilmore, Kentucky.

"The thrill is actually being a part of such an elite unit," O'Neal said. "The skill that we have is an opportunity the Army has given us to train to be a part of the best skydiving team around."

O'Neal tells WGIL trying out to be one of the Golden Knights is in no way easy.

"We go through two months in the fall of Golden Knights assessment selection," O'Neal said. "We are looked at for our parachuting skills, our soldiering abilities, and our ability to represent the United States Army to the public."

While the team goes to events around the country 250 days a year, O'Neal says they can be called upon to utilize their skills in any military situation that's needed.

He says he's glad to be a part of the best team in the world -- that of the Army.




(WGIL News Story and Photos by Will Stevenson.)
07 07 12 by Newsroom
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