CARSON CITY, Nev. and KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to show its support for Operation September Freedom, a national effort by Dream Flights, formerly Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, to locate and honor our World War II veteran heroes with free Dream Flights in restored, WWII-era Stearman biplanes.
Dream Flights is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring America’s veterans and seniors living in retirement and long-term care communities. During a 20-minute Dream Flight, veterans experience the freedom and exhilaration of soaring 1,000 feet in the air in an iconic, open-cockpit-biplane.
“OSF is the largest barnstorming event in history,” according to Darryl Fisher, Dream Flights founder and president. “This tour might be our country’s last chance to honor the Greatest Generation. We need all Americans to join our mission by helping us locate WWII veterans and donating to OSF to cover the cost of Dream Flight.”
Of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII, only an estimated 100,000 will be alive in 2021 -- the youngest: 95. Dream Flights are always free. Anyone request a Dream Flight for a WWII veteran by visiting dreamflights.org/honor. Sponsorship and donation opportunities are available by visiting dreamflights.org/honor.
“Our crew and our nation’s WWII veterans thank the VFW for supporting Operation September Freedom,” said Fisher. “The VFW advocates for the dignity and quality of life for all older adults, including our senior veterans. Together, we have an opportunity to improve the lives of senior veterans in a unique and historical way.”
The tour begins on Aug. 1, 2021 and runs through Sept. 30, 2021. Dream Flight pilots, who primarily fly for major airlines and are active duty or retired military veterans themselves, will volunteer their time to fly WWII veterans in the country's largest fleet of restored Stearman bi-planes.
Mid-campaign, Sept. 6, 2021, Dream Flight crews will rendezvous at the 50th National Stearman Fly-in in Galesburg, Ill., to honor WWII veterans and fly formation for the crowd. After, the crews
will return to their home bases, stopping in towns along the way to continue honoring WWII veterans with flights.
About Operation September Freedom’s Logo
September 2, 1945, marked the official end of the Second World War when Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender in Tokyo Bay. There was much symbolism surrounding the event. This same symbolism was incorporated into the design of the OSF logo.
About Dream Flights
Dream Flights (formerly known as Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation) is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the service, sacrifice and stories of America's senior veterans by providing them with a life-changing experience: an open-air flight in the cockpit of one of Dream Flights’ fleet of fully restored WWII-era Stearman biplanes. From its founding in 2011 to today, the organization has honored more than 4,200 veterans and seniors with free Dream Flights. Each is made possible through the generous donations of corporate sponsors including Sport Clips, DirectSupply, American Airlines, individuals and businesses from across the country and volunteer Dream Flight pilots and crew, many of whom are veterans themselves, all of whom support Dream Flights’ mission of “Giving Back To Those Who Gave.” Follow @DreamFlightsOrg on social media and visit dreamflights.org.
Dream Flights Contact Wendy D’Alessandro, 561-251-3151, wendyd@dreamflights.org