(COLORADO SPRINGS) — “Giving back to those who gave” is the mission of Dream Flights, a nonprofit that teamed up this week with local senior living community, Melody Living, to honor Southern Colorado veterans with free flights of a lifetime.
“I can’t think of a better way to thank our veterans for their service than by giving them an adventure they never thought possible at 70, 80, or 90 years old,” said Dream Flights Founder Darryl Fisher.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, five veterans were given the opportunity to fly in restored Stearman biplanes, the same aircraft used to train aviators during World War II. “Dream Flights proves you’re never too old to dream and you’re never too old to have fun,” added Fisher.
During Wednesday’s event, the following veterans were honored:
- Andy McDermott – Sgt. U.S. Army, served in Korea, and took this flight at 93 years old.
- Richard Hood – SMSgt. U.S. Air Force, served 27 years, and took this flight at 78 years old.
- Tom Kirles – Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force, served seven years in Turkey and at NORAD. He went into the Air National Guard as a chaplain for an additional 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2010. He served as a chaplain in Washington, D.C., for those affected by September 11, and in New Orleans, ministering to those affected by Hurricane Katrina, and took this flight at 76 years old.
- Henry McIntosh – LT U.S. Navy, served for seven years in Vietnam, and is took this flight at 81 years old.
- Lawrence “Ozzie” Oswald – ET2 (Electronic Technician 2) U.S. Navy, served four years active duty, then four years in the reserves, and took this flight at 85 years old.
“At Melody Living, we are committed to celebrating and enriching the lives of our residents every day. Partnering with Dream Flights allows us to honor our veterans in an unforgettable way by giving them a once-in-a-lifetime experience that recognizes their service, courage, and spirit,” said Executive Director of Melody Living, Chia Gingerich. “These flights are more than just a ride in the sky; they are a powerful tribute to their legacy and a reminder that adventure and appreciation have no age limit.”
Each of the veterans took a 15-minute flight, soaring 1,000 feet in an iconic, open-cockpit biplane. The pilots themselves are also active duty or retired military and volunteer their time to make this experience even more special.
Wednesday’s flights took place at JetCenters of Colorado at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, and friends and families of the veterans were invited to attend. After the flights, the veterans were also invited to sign their names on the tail of the plane.
Since 2011, Dream Flights, which is based out of Carson City, Nevada, has honored more than 7,500 veterans and seniors in retirement and assisted living communities.
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