Skydivers honor our military

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WDTN) - Dozens took to the skies Thursday evening at the Middletown Regional Airport to honor the military.

It was a day to honor those who serve our country, those wounded in action and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

For one Butler County man, taking to the skies was a way to celebrate his son's life.

John Prazynski jumped in remembrance of his son, Fairfield native, Lance Corporal Taylor Prazynski, who was killed in combat while serving in Iraq in May 2005.

"There have been opportunities that have come our way since he passed only because of his service and his sacrifice, so we try to cherish each of these Taylor moments to recognize that yes we live in our grief, but we live and life is for the living and this is a moment to realize that life is for the living," said Prazynski.

John joined other military families and veterans to make the plunge.

"It was awesome. It was totally exhilarating, jumping out of a plane and then the free-fall. It was just awesome. I don't know how to put it to words."

It's a special Taylor moment that keeps his son's memory alive.

"He would love to be here to do this. He loved the adventure of a lot of different things. It was an awesome experience, an awesome experience."

This skydiving event signals the start of the MidUSA Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival which takes place at Smith Park in downtown Middletown July 13th through the 15th.