"It was wonderful:" More than a dozen veterans take flight in WWII-era biplane

WAUKESHA -- Years after their service and sacrifice, area veterans were invited to take to the skies once again on Tuesday, June 7th. These former airmen and residents of Milwaukee’s Capri Communities took off in a 1940s Boeing-Stearman.

With each rotation of the propeller, these veterans took a turn back in time.

"I was in during the Korean conflict in the '60s -- was in roughly four years. I was in flight simulation," said Robert Houck.

Houck was a pilot in the Air Force, but on Tuesday, he was able to experience something new.

"I flew a lot of planes -- but never steered with an open cockpit. This was one of my real desires to fly a Stearman," said Houck.

Thanks to Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, veterans were invited to take to the skies.

"It's an absolute privilege to give these veterans a flight in the airplane and say thank you for their service. Our mission is to give back to those who've given," said Darryl Fisher, with the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation.

Direct Supply sponsored the event for 13 veterans from senior living communities. Each takeoff and arrival was greeted by embraces and signs of support.

"My favorite moment is watching them get down off the plane and hearing what they experienced in the sky," said Marisa Vancos with Direct Supply.

"It was wonderful. I got a chance to fly it," said Houck.

Others, like Bob Meuhlbauer, said being in the air was a much different experience than his role as a Marine gunner. He reminisced.

"We had 40mm mounted on the back of a pickup truck and we ran out in the country shooting at stuff up in the air," said Meuhlbauer.

 

Ageless Aviation has celebrated more than 2,000 flights since the organization started back in 2011. But each and every flight is a special and unique experience for the veterans and pilot.

"I sit back there and I think about what they've done for us and the trials and the sacrifice -- so thinking of what they've done for us is very humbling," said Fisher.