Ex-President Bush aims to skydive again

HOUSTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) Former US President George Bush, recovering from hip-replacement surgery, aims to celebrate his 85th birthday in 2009 as he did other milestones, by jumping from an airplane, his spokesman said.

Bush, who celebrated his 75th and 80th birthdays by skydiving, underwent surgery to replace his right hip at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota on January 3. He was released on Saturday and is recovering at home in Houston.

Bush, father of President George W Bush, had his left hip replaced in 2000.

Bush's intention to skydive again was first reported in the Houston Chronicle, and spokesman Jim McGrath confirmed it without providing more details yesterday.

The first time Bush, 82, jumped from an airplane was when he was a US aviator shot down over the Pacific during World War Two, more than 60 years ago.

REUTERS PDM DS1052