A jump to remember

Navy vet Dave Sheldon will not be doing it alone Friday when he skydives to honor injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors and to garner support for a local veteran nonprofit.

Nathan Newby, the brother of fallen soldier SPC. Nicholas Newby, will be right by his side.

"I’m super honored and excited that he invited me to jump with him,” Nathan said Wednesday.

Nathan will travel from Seattle to make the jump with Sheldon, who decided to organize this high-flying adventure after he had back-to-back heart attacks earlier this summer.

“I feel great about doing it," Sheldon said. "I am anxious, I am excited, but no, I am not afraid because I almost just died a couple months ago. I'm not afraid of dying. The chances are more that I will die driving to Post Falls rather than going out of an airplane."

Sheldon is skydiving for the first time in his life on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks to raise $20,000 to donate to the nonprofit 9/11 Health Watch Inc., which works to provide quality medical care and compensation for injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors, as well as Newby-Ginnings of North Idaho, named for Nicholas and founded by his mom, Theresa Hart, to support local vets in need of essential items.

So far, $1,745 has been collected.

Nathan, who was five years younger than Nicholas, said their mom encouraged him to join Sheldon on this mission.

"I think it's super super brave of him to do this," Nathan said. "It's noble he’s willing to do this. He knows his life is at risk, but he knows the bigger picture. The excitement is what draws people. I’m super honored and excited that he invited me to jump with him."

He shared what his brother might say about this exciting journey.

“I think that he would think that it's awesome," Nathan said. "If I were to use the term he would use — not my term — he would say it’s ‘bitchin!’”

Sheldon is also moved to have Nathan along for the adventure.

“I am totally honored," Sheldon said. "It almost makes me tear up thinking that Nick is going to be watching us and keeping his hands on us as we do it."

Another friend of Sheldon's has committed to the jump. Longtime pal Gary Pomeroy of Coeur d'Alene will join the cause. It will be his second time skydiving.

"He jumped back in 2001 or 2003 on a tandem," Sheldon said.

The jump will be facilitated through DZONE Skydiving at the Coeur d'Alene Airport in Hayden.

“I think it's pretty cool, he's going out there to raise awareness for all these things that have happened," DZONE owner Jeremy Divan said of Sheldon.

He remarked about Sheldon doing this right after two heart attacks.

"Anytime anyone can overcome something like that and get doctors' notices to know that it's all good, I think it’s a pretty awesome thing," he said.

Community members are invited to observe the jump at noon Friday at Pappy Boyington Field at the Coeur d'Alene Airport, 10375 N. Sensor Ave.

To contribute to Sheldon's campaign for local vets and 9/11 survivors, visit https://bit.ly/3amlrFn or email Sheldon at dunebuggydave@gmail.com and designate which fund to support.