Former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 85th birthday Friday by doing what has become his tradition — making a parachute jump — and commenting on national affairs.

“This is great,” the elder Bush said after landing near a church in Kennebunkport, Maine, the Bushes’ summer home. “I’m glad to be alive and glad my family’s all with me.”

He was flanked by two of his sons — former president George W. Bush, who left office in January, and Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida.

Bush jumped — harnessed with a member of the U.S. Army parachute team — from 10,500 feet. He said he plans another jump on his 90th birthday.

He made his first jump as a Navy pilot when his plane was shot down over the Pacific during World War II. He also made two jumps apiece on his 75th and 80th birthdays, and another in November 2007 at the reopening of his library at Texas A&M University.

(Source: CNN)