Jump for Valor's First Sponsored Veteran: Duane Mcghghy

Introducing Duane Mcghghy

We are honored to introduce Jump for Valor’s first AFF sponsored veteran: Duane Mcghghy.  

A veteran of the Iraq war, Mcghghy joined the Army in 2005 at 19 years old. Two years into his service he was deployed to Iraq, where his vehicle was hit by an IED. Mcghghy suffered severe damage to his left foot, and surgeons gave him two options: try to salvage his foot with limited prosthetic options, or amputate his leg below the knee, giving him more prosthetic options to choose from. Mcghghy chose the latter, and two months post-surgery he was learning to use his new prosthetic. “I just worked super hard, and thankfully didn’t have too many issues adjusting,” Mcghghy said.

Duane Mcghghy after joining the Army

After Mcghghy retired from the Army, he took a trip back to his hometown where he reconnected with an old friend from high school, Cortney. Mcghghy and Cortney’s relationship blossomed and the two were married, and have three children all under eight years old. The Mcghghy family now reside in Belton, Texas, about 45 minutes from Austin. 

Mcghghy was first introduced to skydiving in 2014. His wife bought him a tandem for Father’s Day, and Mcghghy joined his brother and close friend, both prior service, to do their first tandems. It just took one jump, and he was hooked. “I’ve been dreaming about doing AFF since then,” said Mcghghy. When asked about his first tandem experience, “The first plane ride up, I was a fair bit nervous. I feel like I’m somewhat afraid of heights. But once the door opened and the ground had no relativity, it’s so far away and the nervousness just went away. And I was just ready to go.” 

Duane’s first tandem, 2014

Five more years passed before Mcghghy had his second taste of skydiving, where he did his second tandem, this time with his wife joining him. The biggest obstacle that has prevented him from jumping has been the financial burden of getting licensed. “Things financially are tight right now,” Mcghghy said. 

Duane’s second tandem experience

Duane greeting his wife post-jump

When asked what got him so excited about the opportunity to learn to skydive, “It’s hard to explain the feeling,” Mcghghy said, trailing off. “It’s freeing. Being under canopy and seeing the world from that perspective was amazing.”

Mcghghy was introduced to Jump for Valor by his uncle, who found the nonprofit over social media. Mcghghy contacted Jump for Valor directly, where he applied for the Accelerated Freedall (AFF) program, interviewed with Jump for Valor’s founder, and the rest is history. 

Jump for Valor is partnering with The Skydiving Company in Madisonville, Texas for Jump for Valor’s first official sponsored AFF student. Joe Silvia, The Skydiving Company’s drop zone manager, was humbled and supportive when he learned about Jump for Valor’s mission and was asked about putting Mcghghy through their AFF program. 

Mcghghy started his AFF the first week of 2020, and Jump for Valor is honored that the skydiving and military community rallied to raise funds to help this deserving veteran achieve his dream of flight.  

We will be sure to share more updates about Mcghghy’s AFF experience as he completes his program. If you would like to learn more about Jump for Valor or if you would like to donate to support veterans like Duane Mcghghy, please visit our website at www.jump4valor.org.