“Dream Flights” treats veterans to adventure

Flight: Enjoying the dream

  • World War II Navy veteran Bill Langford signs the rudder of the plane following his “Dream Flight.” This is a privilege for WWII veterans alone.
    World War II Navy veteran Bill Langford signs the rudder of the plane following his “Dream Flight.” This is a privilege for WWII veterans alone.
  • Hatch Hatchell, a 100-year-old Marine Corps veteran, took a “Dream Flight” aboard a World War II-era Stearman biplane at the Gilmer County Airport Friday, November 1.
    Hatch Hatchell, a 100-year-old Marine Corps veteran, took a “Dream Flight” aboard a World War II-era Stearman biplane at the Gilmer County Airport Friday, November 1.
  • Army Veteran Vernon Chesser, middle, smiles with daughter Amy Beavers and Pilot Jeff Klosky after taking his “Dream Flight” on a World War II-era Stearman biplane Friday, November 1.
    Army Veteran Vernon Chesser, middle, smiles with daughter Amy Beavers and Pilot Jeff Klosky after taking his “Dream Flight” on a World War II-era Stearman biplane Friday, November 1.
  • Army Veteran Andrew Moses was all smiles before taking off on his much-anticipated “Dream Flight” aboard a World War II-era Stearman biplane Friday, November 1.
    Army Veteran Andrew Moses was all smiles before taking off on his much-anticipated “Dream Flight” aboard a World War II-era Stearman biplane Friday, November 1.
  • Veterans and residents of Blue Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care Andrew Moses, Vernon Chesser, Bill Langford, Joel “Hatch” Hatchell and Jim Nelson, from left, were treated to a “Dream Flight” aboard a World War II-era Stearman biplane.
    Veterans and residents of Blue Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care Andrew Moses, Vernon Chesser, Bill Langford, Joel “Hatch” Hatchell and Jim Nelson, from left, were treated to a “Dream Flight” aboard a World War II-era Stearman biplane.

    Not many 80, 90 and even 100 year olds can say they had the opportunity to ride in a plane with an open cockpit at their age, but five local veterans can say they’ve done just that.

    Veterans from Blue Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care were treated to “Dream Flights” thanks to an organization of the same name Friday, November 1.

    These flights took place at the Gilmer County Airport in Ellijay, Georgia, with the gentlemen hopping aboard a World War II-era Spearman biplane.

    It was “beautiful, you can’t describe it,” Vernon Chesser, a 92-year-old Army veteran said after his flight.

    Jim Nelson was quick to raise his hand when Air Force veteran and Pilot Jeff Klosky asked who was going first.

    Nelson is in his late 80s and served in the Navy and Air Force. He said he entered the Air Force following his brother after finishing his tour in the Navy.

    Andrew Moses was also enthusiastic. about taking a flight. Moses is in his 80s and served in the Army. He was stationed at the Russian boarder in Germany following the Korean War.

    Bill Langford, who took his third life-time “Dream Flight” that day, is a 99-year-old Navy veteran who served with the Amphibious Forces, responsible for transporting soldiers and Marines to shore.

    Last but not least to take flight was Joel “Hatch” Hatchell. Hatchell is a 100-year-old Marine Corps veteran and former air traffic controller.

    Hatchell said he took a flight just the week before in a glider aircraft.

    As part of a special Dream Flights program called Operation September Freedom, Hatchell and Langford were allowed to sign the plane’s rudder in honor of their service during World War II.

    The program’s name commemorates the September 2, 1945, signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, which ended the war.

    Dream Flights is a non-profit organization based out of Nevada. They take veterans living in long-term care facilities across the country on “Dream Flights” thanks to donor support.

    Since their inception in 2011, they have given over 7,000 “Dream Flights” to veterans.