GKs -- ELISA FELDT hometown story -- press clips

Quote

St. Ansgar native finds that skies have no limit
by Jan Horgen for the Press-News

ELISA FELDT, PICTURED at bottom left of the formation, makes a jump with several others. She enlisted in the military to help earn money for college tuition, but ended up qualifying for the Golden Knights Airborne Division.

A member of the elite Golden Knights U.S. Army Parachute Team, this Carpenter native is living a dream while earning national and international recognition as a skilled skydiver.

After graduating from St. Ansgar High School in 1983, Elisa Feldt enlisted in the military, looking to build a nest egg for college tuition. But her secret ambition was to earn an assignment to the airborne division, ``because I've always been fascinated with skydiving, even as a child.''It took three years, another enlistment and a tour in Frankfurt, Germany, before Feldt was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. -- the home of the 82nd Airborne.

Some 19 years and 6,000 jumps later, she's still perfecting her skills. And still in the military.

``I love this country and am proud of being in the military, helping support and defend our freedom,'' Feldt said in a telephone interview from Fort Bragg.
With a soft laugh, she added, ``And I love jumping.''One of only a handful of women to earn a position in the Golden Knights since the corps was established in 1959, Feldt has distinguished herself as a skilled parachute specialist. She holds two consecutive women's national military competition titles and has a host of medals earned at national and international jumping contests -- from Turkey to Japan, Algeria to Italy.

She competes in three areas -- accuracy, style and formation.

Defending her national title was one of Feldt's career highlights, especially against teammate Cheryl Stearns, who was the first female to make the Army parachuting team in 1976.

``Until last year, Cheryl won 12 consecutive U.S. championships. She's a legend,'' Feldt said. ``It's taken a long time and a lot of work, but I am definitely coming into my own.''Thoughts of military service began for Feldt as teenager when she joined the Alamo Scouts, an explorer post Boy Scout troop formed by retired Command Sgt. Maj. Galen Kittleson, a much decorated Special Forces veteran and fellow Mitchell County native.

Kittleson's lessons were of self-discipline, responsibility, respect and an enduring love for the many freedoms in this country, Feldt said. She took his schooling seriously and carried those lessons along as she embarked on her own military career.

``He was such a big influence in my life -- his discipline, his knowledge of the military, his history with the military and of course his patriotism,'' Feldt said. ``He even wrote me letters through the years, kept in touch. That really helped me get through some of the rough times.''As a single parent with a 7 year-old son, her career presents somewhat different challenges than civilian life. Without family close by, Feldt often relies on her ``military family'' to help with Ethan when she is traveling.

And she must be prepared when orders come. ``I work every day to figure out how I can keep our little family healthy and thriving and still do my duty.''That's something that pleases her mentor.
``I am very proud of Elisa,'' Kittleson said, chuckling as he talked about the ``slight young girl'' who excelled in Alamo Scouts and far beyond.

``Military is not just about combat,'' he said. ``We need those people who can also handle the very important administrative duties and she has. Elisa was the first woman secretary to the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne.''She has become a role model, he said, a nationally recognized example of how women can succeed and excel in areas once reserved only for men.

``It takes nerve and courage to jump out of those planes,'' Kittleson said. ``But her interest level was always very high and she is a very determined person. Makes us all proud.''It's all in a day's work for Feldt, who has devoted the past two decades to duty and honor and country.

``For me it all goes back to patriotism -- loyalty to my country and its people,'' Feldt said. ``I love America and I love being an American."

I prefer to have smoke on my left foot because it's a bit less of a pilot-chute snag hazard there, but obviously to make something symetrical for a photo sometimes compromises get made. I assume the GKs are thinking the same way.

(Yeah, like I'm jumping smoke -all- the time. )