Carson City-based Dream Flights delivers 6,000th flight

URBANA, Ohio – Blue skies and calm winds welcomed Carson City-based nonprofit Dream Flights to Grimes Field Municipal Airport, where founder and aviator Darryl Fisher presented its 6,000th Dream Flight to 100-year-old Donald Muncy, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II and the Korean War.

Muncy was one of eight veterans from The Ohio Masonic Communities' Springfield Masonic Community to soar 1,000 feet in a restored WWII-era open-cockpit biplane in Urbana, Ohio.

“Dream Flights' mission is giving back to those who gave, and today, we thank Mr. Muncy and his fellow veterans for their service and sacrifice,” Fisher said. “Our way of life, our freedom, is made possible by the men and women who bravely served and continue to serve in our nation’s Armed Forces.”

Fisher gave the first Dream Flight on March 29, 2011, in Oxford, Miss., to World War II veteran Hugh Newton. Since then, pilot volunteers have landed in 49 states to give free Dream Flights in restored Stearman biplanes to seniors and veterans living in retirement communities and long-term care facilities.

“The Dream Flight experience reminds seniors and veterans that anything is possible,” said Fisher. “Even at 80, 90, and 100 years old, you can fly 1,000 feet in an open-cockpit biplane and experience the same exhilaration as someone half your age. This magic, the memories, they stay with you forever.”

Spotting mid-flight the Urbana Country Club where he used to play golf, Muncy gave Fisher a thumbs up and then delighted in identifying from 1,000 feet the town square in Urbana.

Following his flight, Muncy signed his name on the tail of the plane, a tradition that started during Operation September Freedom, a historic 61-day tour that honored 891 World War II heroes in 47 states. Muncy was among those honored and now, at 100, he is eligible for a second Dream Flight, a privilege reserved solely for centenarians. After signing Muncy’s Dream Flights baseball hat, Fisher removed his own and asked Muncy to sign his.

Seven additional veterans from The Ohio Masonic Communities’ Springfield Masonic Community were honored with Dream Flights, including Bruce Doering, 74, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War, Lynn Swinger, 86, a U.S. Navy veteran, and U.S. Army veterans Jack Riley, 91, Bob Browning, 64, John Roby, 75, Tony Perone, 88, and Dale King, 90, a Korean War veteran.

Dream Flights are always free thanks to sponsors. Tax-deductible donations and sponsorship opportunities are available at https://dreamflights.org/donate/.

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