Reverend Wes Oake took his first skydive on Saturday to raise money for a park under construction in Newfoundland.
The 92-year-old war veteran has already raised $13,000 C for the Heritage Memorial Park in Gander, Newfoundland, but it’s in memory of a dog that the reverend took the leap.
A Newfoundland dog, named for the town of Gander, was taken overseas by the Royal Rifles of Canada during the Second World War.
Twice, during the Battle of Hong Kong, the dog attacked Japanese invaders. It was killed when it picked up a grenade and ran towards the enemy. Many years later, in 2000, Gander was awarded the Dickin Medal, known as the “animals” Victoria Cross.
In an interview with CBC, Oake said, “I knew the family that owned that dog and I patted that dog a good many times.” He wants a life-size statue of Gander in the park, in honour of the dog’s feats, and he’s hoping people will donate another $90,000 C to the cause.
“He fell well”
Of the 10,000 foot jump, over Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, Oake said, “Couldn’t imagine it, how beautiful it is.”
The jump happened in Nova Scotia because the province of Newfoundland did not have a skydiving company that could take Oake.
Reverend Oake, who fought in Italy during the Second World War, was harnessed to an instructor from the Atlantic School of Skydiving.
As for his own courage, as well as his health and longevity, Oake says it’s all due to his faith in God.
“You can do anything, you’re never too old to do whatever you want to do,” he said.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.