SPOTLIGHT: THE HEART OF SENIOR LIVING
Nonprofit presents 6,000th Dream Flight to 100-yr-old Navy veteran
U
RBANA, Ohio – Blue skies and calm winds welcomed 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 Mun- cy, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II and the Korean War. Muncy was one of eight veterans to soar 1,000 feet in a restored WWII-era open-cockpit biplane. “Dream Flights' mission is giving back
to those who gave, and today, we thank Mr. Muncy and his fellow veterans for their ser- vice and sacrifice,” said Fisher. “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 Stear- man biplanes to seniors and veterans living in retirement communities and long-term care facilities. Muncy lives in Springfield Masonic Community, one of three Ohio Masonic Communities. “The Dream Flight experience reminds
seniors and veterans that anything is pos- sible,” said Fisher. “Even at 80, 90, and
36 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
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 delight- ed in identifying from 1,000 feet the Town Square in Old Town 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 hon- ored 891 World War II heroes in 47 states.
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