Senior veterans from Northern Virginia were honored with the experience of a lifetime as they took individual, open-air flights aboard a restored WWII-era bi-plane at Leesburg Executive Airport. Representing more than 100 years of combined service in the Navy and Air Force, these eight veterans include a rescue helicopter pilot, radar operations officer, submarine nuclear engineer, and other distinguished servicemembers.
Hosted by five Retirement Unlimited, Inc. (RUI) senior living communities in partnership with Dream Flights, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring veterans through unforgettable flight experiences, the event began with a brief ceremony before the first flyer took off for the day. Surrounded by family, friends, team members, and fellow veterans, each flyer had their moment to feel the wind on their face and return to the skies. For many of them, it was a familiar feeling they hadn’t experienced in decades.
Getting into these compact planes is no easy task, as the aircraft is not built with doors or steps. Flyers must climb from the ground onto the wing and descend sideways into the front seat. Perhaps one of the greatest moments of the day was witnessing the success of supporting a veteran from a wheelchair to the wing of the airplane and into the plane seat. The same was accomplished when landing and descending from the plane. Not only were the moments in the skies ones to remember, but those big moments of climbing the wing of an airplane were ones to be proud of and certainly boosted confidence in their abilities and strength. For these veterans, this was nothing compared to what they’ve faced before.
The excitement was palpable as the plane took off from the runway and onlookers cheered. Upon their safe return, the entire group met them back on the tarmac, greeted by the smiling faces of flyers exhilarated by the experience. Their big smiles, excited remarks, and handshakes with the pilot following their descent onto the ground were touching to all who were involved.
While others were flying, veterans, family, friends, and team members were able to discuss more with the veterans about their time in service. Many shared fond memories, while others shared stories of moments when they weren’t sure they’d make it back home to their loved ones. The stories told in that room brought so much nostalgia for the veterans and respect and gratitude from guests who listened to their stories with awe.
These are the veteran’s stories:
Wade Weeks, 84, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force serving several years during the Vietnam War. As a pilot for H-53 helicopters, he served as a rescue helicopters pilot with a notable rescue of 8 “saves” of servicemembers who were shot down.
Jim Finucane, 87, served in the Navy, including five years of active duty and 25 years in the Navy Reserve before retiring at the rank of Commander. As a nuclear engineer, he worked in the Navy’s nuclear power program, teaching crews how to operate reactors aboard nuclear-powered ships and submarines.
Mike Allen, 82, a Petty Officer Third Class proudly served in the U.S. Navy before devoting 43 years of his career in law enforcement where he spent over 20 of those years as Horse Mounted Patrol.
Tom Cason, 87, earned the rank of Major and served for 21 years in the Air Force where he was deployed to the Philippines and Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Additionally, he served for 4 years at the Pentagon and 4 years with the Air Force’s operational planning and programming organization.
Larry Keeney, 90, served four years in the United States Navy and reached the rank of Petty Officer Radioman Third Class. After the military he went on to receive his degree and start his new career in electrical engineering.
Don Rooney, 91, was a Major in the U.S. Air Force serving in the vital role of Base Engineer. Rooney defining contribution was helping oversee the conversion of the installation into a Strategic Air Command (SAC) Refueling Air Wing. Through these efforts, his engineering expertise directly helped strengthen the nation’s strategic aerial refueling capabilities.
Ed Sherwood, 88, served as an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant for 22 years. He spent 15 of those years overseas serving in places such as Holland, England, Philippines, and Korea.
Bob Lowell, 60, served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years. During his military service, he worked as a flight avionics officer aboard the Looking Glass aircraft where he was responsible for supporting the aircraft’s advanced avionics systems and ensuring they operated effectively.
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Media Contact: Danielle Hagenseker | [email protected]