History made as military veterans land with parachutes at Voortrekker Monument
The Parabat Veterans Organisation also held a memorial service for their 44 fellow soldiers who died during duty between 1975 and 1988.
History was made when two military veterans landed in front of the Voortrekker Monument for the first time with their parachutes.
Lieutenant Colonel Laurel Thatcher and major general, Corné Myburg jumped out of a Cessna plane that was flying above the monument at “P-hour”, as parabat soldiers call it, at 10 minutes before 10 on Sunday.
The Parabat Veterans Organisation also held a memorial service for their 44 fellow soldiers who died on duty between 1975 and 1988.
“We landed far below, on the site years ago when the area was still open, but this is the very first time parachutists have landed right in front of the monument. It was a real honour for us to be able to land here,” said Thatcher.
It was not an easy landing zone, as it is very small.
“We had quite a laugh as we were told that it takes guts to take on such a small landing zone,” he said.
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After the jump, the memorial service was held for one of their veterans, Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Claassen, who is one of two surviving founding members of the first parachute battalion.
“From 1961 and 1994, between 12 000 and 15 000 paratroopers were trained in the army. To think, between 1975 and 1988 over 80 operations have taken place.
“Unfortunately 44 men died in action, but it also points to the incredible training that was there, because we could have lost many more men,” said Claassen.
The 13 parabats that died in the famous Battle of Bangui in the Central African Republic in 2013 were honoured during the memorial service.
Several wreaths were laid at the service for the men who have lost their lives.
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