Seniors take off on Dream Flights at Manassas Regional Airport

Eight seniors got a second chance in the cockpit at Manassas Regional Airport on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

From a press release: 

Eight Arbor Terrace Sudley Manor residents, ranging in ages from 76-96 will take off on Dream Flights in a 1942 Boeing Stearman – the airplane used to train military aviators in the 1940s. Former pilots will be were invited to take the stick and maneuver the plane. Each participant will take took a 15-20-minute flight, soaring 1,000 feet above the heads of the participants’ neighbors and friends.

The flights are courtesy of Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Darryl Fisher in 2011 to honor U.S. military veterans living in long-term care facilities. To date, the foundation has provided more than 1,500 Dream Flights to veterans nationwide.

Here’s who went on the trip:

Dan Selders – 95, 20 year Navy Aviator, Served in WWII from 1940-1945

Jack Sherer – 80, Navy Seaman, Served for 22 months during years 1955-1957 on the Admiral Staff

Anita Bishop – 83, Army Women’s Army Corp served 1950-1952

Irene Duncan – 96, her husband, William Duncan, served as an Army Engineer from 1942-1947 during WWII

Jerry Hetherman- 76, United States Airforce, E-3 served from 1958-1962

Dan Kriss – 88, Navy Seaman Quarter Master joined at the age of 14 ½ years served 1943-1945 in WWII

Ann Julius-Army- 92, United States Airforce

John Marcario- 92, Air Force- WWII