Dream Flights honor veterans

Dream Flights, a national nonprofit, landed in Branson on Wednesday, October 8, to honor several local veterans with the opportunity to soar 1,000 feet over the local area in a restored World War II-era open-cockpit Stearman biplane, the same model of aircraft used to begin training military aviators during World War II. 

The event was held at M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport, Point Lookout, near the College of the Ozarks campus, with the following veterans having a turn being outfitted with helmet and headset and climbing into the cockpit with pilot Marcus Smith for a flight around the Lake Taneycomo area: 

●      David Smith, age 91, Air Force veteran and lifelong pilot who worked for NASA and has flown injured children to Shriners’ Hospital free of charge; 

●      Charles Hawkins, 74, Army veteran who worked in Strategic Army Communications Command in Europe; 

●      Robby Redfield, 85, served four years in the Navy Submarine Service and 20 years in the Air Force; 

●      Roger Williams, 81, Army veteran who served in artillery and continues to participate in Vietnam Veterans’ events as a Color Guard/Honor Guard member; 

●      Joseph Rogers, 90, Korean War Air Force veteran. 

Also participating was Steve Hicks of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, a USMC veteran who, in addition to his own Dream Flight, volunteered to assist veterans who needed assistance in getting in and out of the aircraft. The Branson-Hollister VFW post also assisted in coordinating the event, with members on hand to volunteer. 

Dream Flights was founded by Darryl Fisher, president of Mission Senior Living, as a way to get veterans out and about rather than spending their elder years sitting in a facility. Over 7,900 flights have been taken to date. Flights generally take place between April and November, with training facilities and main campuses located in Nevada and Texas. The group works through local veterans’ groups to arrange events and facilities, depending on local volunteers to spread the word and invite veterans. Several World War II veterans have participated and are invited to sign the tail of the Stearman after their flight. 

Pilot Smith said he volunteers in order to give back to those who have served and sacrificed so much. “This is so rewarding to watch,” he says. “You can literally see the clock turn back as they experience something that was so formative to them in their dedication to their country.” Tuesday’s first veteran was 90-year-old Joe; upon being harnessed in and outfitted with his gear, he sported an ear-to-ear grin and gave a thumbs-up. Smith shared that he has even witnessed veterans who had to use a walker or mobility scooter to get to the aircraft, but were like a different person when they returned from their flight, some even forgetting to grab their assistive device! 

Although flights are often planned for locations near an assisted living or senior veterans’ facilities, a spokesperson for Dream Flights said the organization was excited to reach out to the Branson area after hearing so many positive things about the hospitality and honor shown to veterans, and they would be eager to return soon. 

Corporate and individual sponsors are always welcomed in order to keep these flights free for veteran heroes, and volunteers are always needed on site for each flight. Learn more about Dream Flights, see how you can get involved, and see some great photos via their Facebook page or at https://dreamflights.org.