By Michelle Adserias
He was grinning ear-to-ear when he climbed, with a little bit of help, into the open cockpit of The Spirit of Wisconsin, a 1943 Boeing Stearman. A much younger Val Mann served in the 389th Bomber Group of the mighty 8th Air Force — about the same time the Spirit of Wisconsin was rolling down the production line. This flight would prove much more pleasant than the harrowing flights from his days as a nose gunner on a B24 Bomber in World War II’s European theatre.
The Dream Flights pilot took him on a 20-minute flight over the surrounding community and he was able to spot his modest house on the outskirts of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. He was still grinning ear-to-ear when they landed. As a WWII veteran, he was also given the honor of signing the aircraft’s tail.
Two years later, Val’s younger brother went on his Dream Flight from the Stevens Point Municipal Airport (KSTE) in a 1940 Boeing Stearman. Donald Mann retired from the 440th Troop Carrier Wing of the United States Air Force in 1990. At 90 years old, when he climbed into the cockpit of that Stearman, he looked as spry and vivacious as the young man he once was.
What are Dream Flights?
While most people are familiar with Honor Flights, which take military veterans to the war memorials in Washington DC, far fewer people are aware of Dream Flights and their mission.
This non-profit organization was founded in 2011 by Darryl and Carol Fisher. At this point, they were already caring for seniors through their company, Mission Senior Living. Darryl’s parents and grandparents had owned nursing homes, where he worked in his early days and developed a deep appreciation for the elderly.
Darryl’s grandfathers and father were also pilots, so he grew up around planes, as well. Darryl fell in love with aviation when he was 18 years old. Though he decided to make caring for seniors his vocation, he held onto flying as his avocation – and often takes business-related flights to their care facilities.
Dream Flights was the perfect melding of his two passions. He wanted to allow older folks opportunities to feel valuable and able – able to do exciting things despite their advanced years. He wanted to bring some joy into their lives. And so, Dream Flights was born with this mission: “Giving back to those who gave.”
To date, Dream Flights has “given back” by taking more than 6700 people on their exciting flights, many of them retired from the military. And “never too old for an adventure” is no exaggeration. Their oldest passenger was 104 years old!
Each participant has a 20-minute flight in a Boeing Stearman. Dream Flights chose this aircraft because it was used extensively to train military aviators in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The organization has four airplanes located throughout the country; the Western regions, the Eastern regions, Texas and the Lower Midwest and the Upper Midwest.
Darryl’s devotion to the elderly in care facilities and his passion for flying come together each time he, or one of the many volunteer pilots, take to the skies with someone new in the cockpit. Though the flights are a true gift to those who have made sacrifices for us all, the smiles and gratitude from those who fly, and their family members, are priceless gifts in return.
As Don’s daughter, I know first-hand how much joy Dream Flights brings to all those involved. I watched the pilots interacting with these men, drawing encouragement and energy from their reactions to a rare opportunity for a thrilling ride. I felt the excitement, as a family member, of knowing someone I love was relishing the moment. My father, Don Mann, is a man of few words. But the look of anticipation on his face as he waited to take off, and the grin on his face when he landed, said it all.
How You Can Get Involved with Dream Flights
Volunteer: There are opportunities for pilots and mechanics to volunteer with Dream Flights but there are also opportunities for volunteers willing to help promote the organization and serve at events.
Request a Flight: If someone you know would be interested in taking a Dream Flight, the application is available online. Arrangements can be made for individuals or for care facilities. They will fly individuals who are still living independently but priority is given to those in care facilities.
If you would like more information about Dream Flights, please visit their website at www.dreamflights.org.
MORE ABOUT THE SPIRIT OF WISCONSIN
Eddie Lamken, a World War II veteran, was an early Dream Flights participant. His ride had such an impact on his entire family that his son spearheaded a two-year community fundraising campaign and raised enough money for Dream Flights to purchase the aircraft – the only one in the fleet funded through private donations.
This 1943 Boeing Stearman was used to train military aviators during WWII, first at the air reserve station in the Twin Cities, then at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. When it was retired, it was sold as a crop duster but ended up in storage instead.
It made several stops along its way to Roland Garlinghouse, who restored the plane. He flew it to vintage aircraft shows and offered flights to retired naval aviators before selling it to Dream Flights.
