Loek Middel made his last parachute jump in 1949. But on Wednesday morning, the 98-year-old former paratrooper at Breda Airport got the chance to jump out of an airplane one more time. “I want to feel that tension I used to have again.”
In hangar 12, a group of paratroopers are getting ready for their next jump this Wednesday. Among the ‘slightly’ younger men, 98-year-old Loek Middel beams. The former paracommando of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army is not very tense.
In addition to relatives and friends of the Rosmale resident, the national press has also turned out for this special leap. “I didn’t expect this. I thought I’m going there, I’ll jump out and that’s it! But that’s not the case,” says Loek. Still, the veteran secretly enjoys all eyes on him. “I want to feel the tension I used to have again.” Now Loek will not jump alone, but in a tandem.
“He always said he wanted to do this again.”
Michael Middel proudly watches his grandfather receive the final instructions. “I’m more nervous than my grandfather!” laughs Michael. “He always said he wanted to do this again. That I can still experience this as a grandson… I am very proud!”
Meanwhile, grandpa Loek has changed and Piet Klein, commander of the Defense Para School, puts a pair of glasses over his head. “It can hang around your neck for now, but you can put it on just before jumping.” Grandpa Middel nods affirmatively, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. Together they walk towards the plane. ‘Just’ climbing in is no longer an option, but with some help the veteran manages to slide into the plane on his stomach.
“Especially when waiting for the jump was exciting.”
A few kilometers away, the parachutists are dropped at an altitude of three kilometers. After a free fall of no less than two kilometers, the parachute opens and they float. It takes a while before Loek Middel’s parachute can be seen with the naked eye. But then all of a sudden friends on the ground let out some cries: “There! Way up there! He’s coming out of the cloud.” A few minutes later, Loek waves enthusiastically to the group, while flying a few meters above the meadow.
And then, 74 years after his very last jump, the 98-year-old scratchy bastard is back on the ground. With a broad grin on his face, Loek walks towards the group of viewers. “It was sensational! Especially waiting for the jump was exciting. Because how will the weather feel? We were in the clouds for a while, but when we got out of there we saw a beautiful view. I enjoyed it!”
“I was really a little bit too
Grandson Michael held his breath during the jump. “I was really a little bit too shake here. It was really exciting. But most of all I’m very happy that he’s back on the ground. And very proud!” Whether Michael will also jump out of a plane at the age of 98, he does not yet know. “I hope that I will make it, although of course I have the good genes! But I don’t think I’m as brave as my grandfather.”