Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/565100
6 EPTEMBER 2-8, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM In 1959, the Strategic Army Command Parachute Team was formed by 19 Airborne soldiers from various military units. Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell Jr. gathered the Soldiers with the intent of competing in what was then the new and Soviet dominated sport of skydiving. That year, the all U.S. Army team began representing the United States on the international competition circuit, as well as performing their first demonstration in Danville, Virginia. In 1961, the unit become the United States Army Parachute Team, and by 1962, the team earned the nickname the "Golden Knights" on the competition field of battle. Golden, signifying the gold medals the team had won; Knights, proving that they were world champions and alluding to the fact that the team had "con- quered the skies." On Saturday, Sept. 12, local residents have the opportunity to conquer the skies alongside the Golden Knights at the 4th Annual Free Fall to Fight Cancer event, which has a two-fold pur- pose: to raise funds for the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation and to keep the memory of Zach Grullon alive. The event, organized by Zach's parents, local realtors Kevin and Shawn Grullon, is not a memo- rial, but rather a celebration of Zach's life. Zach was an adventurous, strong willed and lov- able young man. He graduated from Jack Britt High School in 2010 and was looking forward to a mili- tary career. In March 2010, Zach was diagnosed with FHC. He had been dealing with severe stom- ach pain and nausea for a couple of months, but it was dismissed because of his intense workouts. After numerous tests and scans a grapefruit size tumor was found on his liver. A liver resection in April 2010, was unsuccess- ful because the cancer had spread to many of his lymph nodes and it was inoperable. He then start- ed a rigorous routine of chemotherapy for 8 hours a day every 2-3 weeks. Zach would still continue to work out, live life, play sports and even sky-dived with the world famous Army Golden Knights. After battling for two years, Zach passed away on Jan. 28, 2012. On the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation website, Zach is quoted, "I may have got cancer because God needs me to be a Warrior for Heaven. I don't take any pity, I am proud of everything I have been through." It is that spirit that his parents have taken to fight the disease that took their son. The annual fundraiser is their way of working to make sure that other parents do not have to face the battle their family did; however, they wanted it to be something that would ref lect their son's spirit and skydiving fits the bill. Dur ing t he event , which is at Sk ydive Paraclete X L on Doc Brow n Road, at tendees w ill have t he oppor t unit y to sk ydive at t ached to a Golden K night . You c an get a f ull v ideo and pic t ures of your jump to share. A ll K night s par t icipat ing in t he event are of f dut y or ret ired and are volunteer ing t heir t ime to t his wor t hy c ause. Tandem jumps with video are $350 and tandem jumps without video are $225. While waiting on your jump, or simply watching the action, you can participate in number of fun activities, includ- ing live music and a deejay, water slides and jump houses for kids, food, a silent auction and raff les for great prizes. The event kicks-off at 9 a.m. To reserve a spot on the plane, sign up prior to Sept. 12 by contacting Kevin or Shawn at grullonteam@gmail.com or by phone at 910-257-3027. Golden Knights Freefall to Fight Cancer by JANICE BURTON Get the Complete Healthcare Coverage Self Employed? We Offer Affordable Options Meredith Hunt 7948 Raeford Road Fayetteville, NC 28304 Phone: 910-734-3407 Fax: 910-779-1097 Email: meredith@bluehealthgroup.com Enrollment Begins Soon Call for An Appointment Today! 7711 S Raeford Rd #111, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Gillis Hill Walmart Shopping Plaza Authentic Italian New York Style Food & Pizza, Boar's Head ® Meats & Homemade Breads. We have Italian desserts too! Cannoli, Tiramisu & Cheese Cake. Kevin Grullon with his son, Zach, at jump with the Golden Knights prior to Zach's death in 2012. Invest In Advertising Opportunities We can show you how to market your business! 910.484.6200 www.upandcomingweekly.com