OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – Eight senior veterans took to the skies above Wittman Regional Airport as Dream Flights returned to northeast Wisconsin, offering flights in a fully restored WWII-era biplane.
“I was just observing. I mean, going over Lake Winnebago was fun, seeing the city was fun, landing was fun. I liked the whole experience, it was fun,” said John Hanson, an Army veteran from Appleton who was the first to fly.
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Hanson said he was just as excited watching the other veterans take off as he was flying himself.
“It was phenomenal. I would recommend it to anybody.”
The event also served as a special birthday surprise for one of the veterans.
“This is a wonderful way for me to celebrate my 95th birthday—not today, but later this month,” said Army veteran Paul Baldridge. “So I very much appreciate it. The pilot was wonderful. Fortunate to just have a wonderful day.”
Dream Flights was founded in 2011 by Darryl Fischer, who also serves as president and pilot. The goal of the organization is to give back to veterans by offering them a meaningful and memorable flight experience.
“When I hear the sacrifices they made and what they have done throughout their lives for us and our freedoms, it’s a pretty special thing,” said Fischer. “And to be able to thank them with a flight in the airplane is a bonus.”
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Hanson and Baldridge, along with the other veterans taking part, are from Touchmark, a retirement community in Appleton, which played a big role in making this happen.
Dream Flights made a stop in Milwaukee earlier in the week and is scheduled to return to Wisconsin on Monday with a visit to Stevens Point.
