Military veterans and seniors to take flight in WWII biplane: Public invited to attend and watch Dream Flights
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Fri, 05/24/2019 - 2:02pm
Event Date:
May 30, 2019 (All day) Pre-selected military veterans and seniors will enjoy the thrill of a Dream Flight in a 1944 Stearman biplane, the same aircraft used to train military aviators during World War II. The flights are courtesy of Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation (AADF), a Carson City-based nonprofit that honors U.S. military veterans nationwide with free Dream Flights. AADF has given more than 3,700 Dream Flights nationwide since 2011.
The public is invited to attend and watch as the veterans and seniors enjoy their individual flights on Thursday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m., at Atlantic Aviation, in 655 S. Rock Blvd. in Reno.
Each recipient, the oldest 95, will take a 20-25 minute flight in the open cockpit biplane, soaring 1,000 feet above the heads of their friends and family. Dream Flight recipients are from Summit Estates Senior Living and Memory Care in Reno:
John Redman, 80, U.S. Air Force, 1958-1963, Airman, First Class
Served during the end of the Vietnam War
John says he loved being an air policeman. After running into a B-52 and injuring his nose he returned to work in the office as a clerk. The best part of planes, he says, is the “freedom of being in the air.”
Frank Bowie, U.S. Air Force, 1951-1955, Airman First Class
Frank was an engine mechanic for the B-36. The best thing about serving in the military was the ‘band of brotherhood.’ His only regret was never getting to fly in the B-36.
Richard Meese, 92, U.S. Navy, 1945-1946, Pharmacy Mate, WWII
Richard served as a pharmacy mate during World War II. He served in several locations during WWII, including San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the American Area Campaign Medal.
Edith Gant, 95
Member of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program in Pensacola.
Marvin Methven, 79
Marvin worked for the U.S. government as a member of the maintenance crew for the B-52. He also worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he wrote code for war games. He has a Master’s Degree in mathematics and says he’s always wanted to fly!
Mary Withers, 84
Mary comes from a family of aviators, including her husband and several children. She loves to fly and looks forward to her Dream Flight!
Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation is a Carson City, Nevada-based, nonprofit organization established in 2011. It is dedicated to honoring senior veterans from all U.S. military branches by providing free Dream Flights in one of three fully restored Boeing Stearman biplanes, the same aircraft many military aviators trained in during World War II. AADF’s mission is “Giving back to those who have given.” AADF has given nearly 3,700 dream flights since 2011 and depends on sponsorships, grants, and personal and corporate donations to operate the foundation and maintain the three biplanes. To learn more or to apply for a dream flight, visit www.agelessaviationdreams.org or Facebook for more information.
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