102-year-old WWII Maryland veteran checks skydiving off her bucket list

CHURCHVILLE, Md. (ABC7) - A 102-year-old Maryland woman took a huge leap of faith Sunday afternoon as part of her huge bucket list item: skydiving.

Vivian "Millie" Bailey may be 102 but she continues soaring to new heights.

The World War II veteran says skydiving has been something she has always wanted to do, especially after President George H.W. Bush did it at age 90. "I was inspired by the fact that he did it," Millie said. "The fact that a person at that age could do the jump."

DARING ADVENTURE

While filming an episode featuring her life for the series Honor Flight Heroes (to air Veterans Day at 7 pm Eastern on Discovery Networks' American Heroes Channel), Millie was asked if there was one thing left that she wants to do but hasn't had the chance to do yet.

"You are not going to believe it," she laughed. "The thing I'd like to do is do a parachute jump like President Bush did."

She explained that it would cost her $300 but would like if someone could take her skydiving and not charge her.

You probably think she must be nuts.

The Honor Flight Heroes production company decided to pick up the tab and help Millie accomplish this bucket list item... and, of course, film it for inclusion in the program. "You couldn't ask for a more thrill-packed ending to the episode," explained Eric J. Roberts, executive producer for the series. "Millie would be the first 102-year-old person on Mars if it could be arranged!"

"I'm going to push you out," Cornelius, the skydive instructor at Skydive Baltimoresaid. "Do you push me out before you come out?" she asked. "If you want to go on a real adventure but I think we should stick together" the instructor laughed.

Millie was joined by dozens of close family members, friends and Howard County officials and residents.

As her plane took off, tears filled the crowds eyes as friends and family called her an inspiration to all.

"We're praying for you Millie," one woman said.

After Millie landed safely, her smile said it all.

"It was wonderful, a real thrill!" Millie said. "I was scared for one minute, it felt like I was tumbling and then I thought, somebody is holding onto me."

Her instructor asked: "Would you like to go again?"

She laughed. "Just once is enough!"

WORLD WAR II VETERAN

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma Millie joined the Army and became a second lieutenant in April 1943.

"I was living in Oklahoma and job opportunities were terrible because most of the country was segregated at that time."

Millie moved through the ranks rather quickly becoming the second in command of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) atFort McClellan before she was transferred to Fort Benning.

"I was selected to go to the action general school which was a very high honor" Millie explained.

Eventually, she became first lieutenant at Fort Benning, in charge of the WAC detachment.

Millie stayed at Fort Benning until she got out of the Army in 1946.

During her entire career in the Army, she was in a segregated Army.

"I have very little biological family," said Millie. "But I have a very special adopted family."

Millie lives in Columbia, Maryland at an assisted living facility. She's doing very well for her age.

According to her nephew, Martin Johnson, it was no surprise when she made the decision to go skydiving.

Johnson was able to meet Millie's husband in 1984 before he died in 1986.

GIVING BACK

Millie has been giving back for years and continued her missions even through COVID-1..

She puts together care packages for soldiers who are deployed overseas.

"I estimate she has sent over 14 tons of care packages for soldiers overseas," Johnson said. "Two weeks ago, I took six boxes that were shipped to Afghanistan which were donated from Aunt Millie."

Christopher Williams with the U.S. Air Force said he was a recipient of those care packages in 2017.

"I received care packages in 2017 when I was in Afghanistan before deploying to Iraq," Williams said. "She followed me the whole way and sent me hand written notes. When I came back home, I was able to meet her and it was the best thing ever."

Williams said she has reached thousands of service members, men and women all over the world.