Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell Takes the Plunge

By Anita Kumar
Washington Post

Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell, along with her daughter Cailin, participated in a tandem parachute jump with the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team Friday morning in Dinwiddie.

Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell and daughter Cailin participated in a tandem parachute jump with the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team on Friday in Dinwiddie.

The first lady and her daughter jumped as part of her ongoing work to raise awareness of the need to support Virginia’s military families. For more information on the First Lady’s “Serving our Service Member Families” initiative, please visit www.sos.virginia.gov.

Yes, Gov. Bob McDonnell’s wife and daughter, Cailin, participated in a tandem parachute jump with the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team.

The Golden Knights have jumped with several celebrities and politicians, including former President George H.W. Bush in 2007 and 2009.

The McDonnells jumped as part of the first lady’s ongoing effort to raise awareness of the need to support Virginia’s military families.

McDonnell has never jumped before, but she’s willing to get out there and try new things. The former Redskins cheerleader (they called them Redskinettes back then) joined other former cheerleaders on the field during the 2009 governor’s campaign to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their alumni association.

Maureen McDonnell as a Redskinette

Friday’s jump took place at the Dinwiddie Airport in Petersburg.

The Golden Knights were in town for Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Richmond International Raceway.