I have no idea what triggered this series of childhood memories. When I was a preteen in the early 1970s we had the usual 12 inch Gi Joe, Action Man (British version of Gi Joe), and DC Super Hero dolls. However in those fun times we also had another lesser remembered 8 inch doll; "Action Jackson" of which I had several. Two in particular I fitted up with parachutes, and I had a terrific time throwing them into the air from a small hill pretending they where paratroopers. My objective was to get them to land among a small "assault force" I had assembled at the bottom of the hill. Alas after several days of this entertainment one particularly windy day I threw both "paratroopers" in the air. One landed some distance away on Foxmill Road (I lived in Oakton VA) and it was promptly crushed by a truck.The other ended up tangled in a huge oak tree beside the house. Dad estimated it to be a good 40 or 50 feet off the ground, and not reachable. Basically Mr Jackson was there forever. Even now though over 50 years later I often wonder when the fabric, and elastic that held that doll together finally gave out. I know it was still in the tree when my family moved from that house in I think 1983. So Mr Jackson's final passing will always be unanswered mystery for me.
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