A San Diego man celebrated his 100th birthday in a grand way.
On Sunday, August 15, hundreds gathered around a parachute "drop zone" next to the Hotel del Coronado.
Tom Rice graduated from Coronado High School in 1940 and attended San Diego State College where he was a top athlete.
He also worked in the Sweetwater Union High School District for 44 years where he taught history, social studies, and coached track and cross-country.
In addition to being an active community member, Rice is a World War II veteran.
On Sunday, he dropped out of a restored Air Force C-53D plane called the D-Day Doll, reports the Times of San Diego.
Rice received a warm welcome from fellow family, veterans, and military officers after landing with his tandem parachute partner Art Shaffer.
According to the Times, Rice prepared for Sunday's event by working out a couple of times a week, "maybe more," at CrossFit Coronado.
When asked what advice he had for young people Rice said: "Reach down and grab a hold of your internal organs as best you can,” he said. “And stretch ’em out as far as you can. Keep physically fit. And be prepared for anything. Face all of your chaotic situations. Reduce them to a danger. Reduce a danger to an inconvenience, and keep moving forward. End of paragraph.”