AHCA/NCAL Sponsors National Effort to Honor WWII Veterans

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is proud to sponsor Operation September Freedom, a national effort by Dream Flights, formerly Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, to locate and honor our World War II veteran heroes with free Dream Flights in restored, WWII-era Stearman biplanes.

Dream Flights is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring America’s veterans and seniors living in retirement and long-term care communities. During a 20-minute Dream Flight, veterans experience the freedom and exhilaration of soaring 1,000 feet in the air in an iconic, open-cockpit-biplane.

The tour begins on Aug. 1, 2021 and runs through Sept. 31, 2021. Dream Flight pilots, who primarily fly for major airlines and are active duty or retired military veterans themselves, will volunteer their time to fly WWII veterans in the country's largest fleet of restored Stearman bi-planes.

Mid-campaign, Sept. 6, 2021, Dream Flight crews will rendezvous at the 50th National Stearman Fly-in in Galesburg, Ill., to honor WWII veterans and fly formation for the crowd. After, the crews will return to their home bases, stopping in towns along the way to continue honoring WWII veterans with flights.

Of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII, only an estimated 100,000 will be alive in 2021 -- the youngest: 95. Dream Flights are always free. Anyone can nominate a WWII veteran for a Dream Flight by visiting www.dreamflights.org/honor. Sponsorship and donation opportunities are available by visiting www.dreamflights.org/honor.