Columbus’ Whereabouts No Joke

Whether Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World in San Salvador or 65 miles away, in Samana Cay, as the National Geographic Society has reported, was beside the point, as thousands of spectators lined 5th Avenue in New York City to celebrate Columbus Day. The event, marked by marching bands and marching units from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, occurred two days early because of Yom Kippur and hours early because of a National League playoff game. Parade grand marshals New York Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, a Democrat, and Sen. Alfonse M. D’Amato (R-N.Y.), both seeking reelection, led a group of politicians to the beat of the tom-toms and the blare of trumpets. “It’s a fun-filled thing,” D’Amato said. But as he left the reviewing stand, the Lindenhurst High School band from Long Island, N.Y., struck up the familiar refrain, “Hey, Big Spender.” As to the controversy surrounding the National Geographic report, Sal Arone of the Bronx, an obviously glad-to-be-here spectator, had an opinion: “The media, they shouldn’t joke about Columbus.”

--Once a year, West Virginia state officials open the 876-foot-long New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville to pedestrian traffic only--and anyone who wants to jump off it. So, an estimated crowd of 200,000 people showed up to watch 40 parachutists leap off the longest steel arch bridge in the country, as 20-m.p.h. winds gathered above the New River waters. Actually, while 40 parachutists defied the elements, 384 people had signed up for the annual bridge jump. “It’s the most exciting thing in life you can do,” said Mike Matthews, 32, of Ludington, Mich. “I’m a chemical engineer by day and I dream about (parachuting) at night.” Matthews’ wife, Linda, 27, who bowed out of parachuting after four jumps, said: “I’m smarter if I keep my feet on the ground. If he goes, I’m a very wealthy widow. If he doesn’t go, then we go home.” Mary Brown, 32, traveled from New Smyrna Beach, Fla., to experience the joy of walking across the bridge. Rescue boats cruised the river, in the event of an emergency. Authorities said several people suffered cuts and sprains, and even bee stings.

--It might be described as a crash landing by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager. Appearing at the Thomas A. Edison State College in Princeton, N.J., Yeager, a former test pilot, opened his remarks on supersonic flight with a special acknowledgment to women. “Some of the better-looking ones here won’t understand what I’ll be talking about,” he said. The boos must have been drowned out by all the silence.