Veterans at Fairview Estates chosen to participate in the Dream Flights program are (from left): John Cruz, Fran Parisi, John Brown and Carl Bourie. Not pictured: Joyce L’Antigua. PHOTO/FAIRVIEW ESTATES
Five lucky veterans living at Fairview Estates will get the opportunity of a lifetime this summer: a chance to fly on a World War II-era biplane.
The veterans from the Hopkinton senior living community will take to the skies Tuesday (Aug. 13) in Boeing Stearman biplanes out of Norwood Memorial Airport. The flights are offered as part of the Dream Flights program, which honors veterans with flights in authentic, restored aircraft.
This will be the first time residents of Fairview Estates have been chosen to take part in the program. “It’s going to be a huge day for them,” said Leah Brunelle, Fairview’s activities coordinator.
Brunelle first applied for the Dream Flights program after hearing about it during a company conference in New Orleans. Facilities are drawn on a lottery system.
“Once they gave us the word it was happening, we then chose folks from our community to participate,” said Brunelle.
The five participants from Fairview represent the Air Force, Navy and Army. According to Brunelle, they all served during the 1950s.
“We even have a female veteran going up as well,” she added.
Each veteran will get to fly up to 15 minutes in a historic Boeing Stearman biplane. The planes are restored versions of aircraft used to train military aviators in the 1930s and ‘40s.
After their flights, the veterans are presented with certificates. They also get an opportunity to share their stories of service. Family members and other personnel will be there to assist the veterans and celebrate with them.
Dream Flights offers its program all across the United States. Since 2011, they have provided over 4,000 no-cost flights in 45 states. They aim to provide seniors and military veterans with “the adventure of a lifetime” and preserve the stories of those who have served the nation.
Brunelle says that her residents are looking forward to this unique opportunity.
“They’re very excited,” she said.
What a wonderful program! I spoke to John Cruz today and he told me he volunteered to go up first and he loved it! Thank you to all of our veterans.