Dream flight: World War II veteran flies in restored war-era plane
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Thursday afternoon, a World War II Veteran had the chance to take flight in a war-ear plane.
Jim Swanson, a 95, served in the U.S. Navy as a 3rd Class Electricians Mate. He's currently a resident at Jackson Creek Senior Living Center in Colorado Springs.
Through Dream Flights, an organization to celebrate and honor military veterans and seniors, Swanson was able to fly with a pilot in a completely restored 1943 Boeing Stearman.
On August 1, Dream Flights launched Operations September Freedom to celebrate WWII veterans and give them the plane ride of their dreams. The event runs until September 30th. September 2 marks 76 years since the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, which effectively ended the war.
The organization says they're focusing on WWII vets because out of the 16 million Americans who served in the war, only an estimated 100,000 are still alive. The youngest will be 95-years-old.
Since the inception of Dream Flight in 2011, they have given free flights to more than 4,200 veterans and seniors living in long-term care communities.
Dream Flight says, "Fewer and fewer of our Dream Flyers are WWII veterans. Every day, we’re losing the opportunity to celebrate them. We’re dedicating our entire Dream Flight Tour to WWII veterans. Our mission is to honor as many as possible, thanking them for fighting for freedom."
Learn more about Dream Flight, and recommend a WWII veteran to take flight here.
