Discovery Senior Living is partnering with Dream Flights to locate and provide opportunities for World War II veterans to fly aboard a restored Boeing Stearman biplanes.
The Discovery Makes a Difference charitable initiative will contribute financial and other resources to the three-year partnership as well as assist in locating eligible veterans to experience 20-minutes Dream Flights in one of six restored biplanes. The Boeing Stearman open-cockpit biplanes were the same aircraft used to train many military aviators in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Bonita Springs, FL-based Discovery Senior Living is the first to partner with Carson City, NV-based Dream Flights, which has flown more than 4,200 seniors and veterans. Of the 16 million Ameraicans who served in World War II, only approximately 100,000 are alive today. The youngest veteran of the war is 95 this year.
“Military roots run deep within our Discovery family, from myself and members of our leadership team, right on through to the brave men and women who live and work in our communities every day,” Discovery CEO Richard J. Hutchinson said in a statement. “We’re proud to partner with Dream Flights and will cherish every opportunity to create indelible memories in the lives of resident seniors and so many others from around the country.”
Dream Flights is hosting a 2021 Operation September Freedom Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 in Illinois to honor as many World War II veterans as possible with free flights.
“Operating September Freedom may be our nation’s last opportunity to recognize and honor the men and women who defended our country in World War II,” Dream Flights founder and President Darryl Fisher said. “Honoring more than 1,000 World War II veterans during Operation September Freedom is an ambitious mission. We’re grateful for the support and resources Discovery Senior Living provides, and we’re proud to have them on our team of sponsors.”
The American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living and Argentum also are Dream Flights partners.
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