Giving back to those who gave. That is the mission of Dream Flights, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting flights to veterans living in retirement and assisted living communities. In a “make-a-wish” style experience, four Country Meadows residents who call the York-West campus home recently took their ride of a lifetime in a restored WWII-era biplane, the same aircraft used to train aviators during WWII. The residents, ages ranging from 83-99.5, represent the Navy, Army and Marines from the WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars, respectfully.
This experience was granted to WWII veteran John Wolfe. Country Meadows’ Dynamic Living Director Bonnie Geisinger nominated John to be recognized by Dream Flights because he is a proud veteran and is passionate about aviation. Dream Flights also invited John’s veteran neighbors: Dick Hodgson, Jeffrey “Scotty” Ney and Dima Euculano to York Airport for a morning of fun and flying. The veterans reminisced about their service experiences and bonded over their shared love for airplanes.
“Experiences like Dream Flights are incredibly special because we get to share in their joy as they reflect on a time in their lives they are proud of,” said Meredith Mills, CEO of Country Meadows Retirement Communities. “They were literally on the front lines of history and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. We are grateful for these opportunities to recognize the veterans in our community and thank them for their service.”
Each resident was safely supported throughout the entire experience by the Dream Flights pilots and crew, also retired military veterans who volunteer their time to fly veterans in the country’s largest fleet of restored/fully operational Stearman biplanes. With safety as the primary focus, the crew factored in mobility and health accommodations of each resident to provide a unique and tailored flight just for them. Each 15-minute flight took the veteran over the fields of York County. Upon landing, the veterans received a Dream Flights baseball hat from the pilot and many photo opportunities by the plane. The fliers also received a certificate commemorating the day.
“John and the other veterans are so deserving of this experience,” explained Bonnie. “Age was just a number at that airport! We saw our accomplished veterans smile and jump at the opportunity to reconnect with something they all love and had different experiences with in their younger years.”
Scotty, who served as E-4 in the Army for the Korean and Vietnam wars, previously had his pilot’s license. While up in the air with Dream Flights, he remembered the time he took his wife up in the airplane for the first time. “She was scared but said liked it once she was back on the ground,” he quipped.
Prior to moving into Country Meadows, Dick, a SeeBee’s 2 class operator in the Navy during the Korean War, would spend every Saturday at the York Airport watching the planes come and go and hopping in on rides.
Dima’s professional life as a Corporal in the Marines and Navy during the Korean and Vietnam wars specialized in working with larger aircrafts. Being around the smaller, open-air Stearman biplane was a special experience for many reasons.
“I moved into Country Meadows at the right time,” chuckled Dima, who moved into the community only two weeks ago. “I have worked in aviation all my life, mainly with jets and have flown all over the world. It was really neat up there!”
As for John, although he wasn’t a pilot during his military career – he was an AMM2/CY in the Navy Air Corp, he has always been passionate about flying and flew personally later in his life. He has authored books about the airports of York County and builds model airplanes. He also shares his love of aviation with his special friend and WWII enthusiast, 8-year-old TJ Hake, who was also at the airport to celebrate the Dream Flight.
This was not John’s first flying experience, he was recognized by AARP’s Wish of a Lifetime in 2024. TJ saw a newscast when John did that flight and with the help of his mother, wrote a letter to John to see if TJ could meet a WWII veteran. The two have been adventuring and sharing a love for airplanes and military history ever sense. Read about their beautiful intergenerational friendship.
“I could get used to flying again,” smiled John. “It was a good day and well appreciated. I’m blessed. Having TJ here makes it special. You never know in life who you will inspire – you just have to keep living.”
This Country Meadows and Dream Flights experience was featured on the local news. Follow the links to watch the coverage:
About Dream Flights
Dream Flights are always free, thanks to the generosity of its primary sponsor Sport Clips Haircuts, and national sponsors American Airlines, American Healthcare Association/National Center for Assisted Living, Veterans United Home Loans, and Vital Life Foundation. Visit dreamflights.org and follow Dream Flights @DreamFlightsOrg on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.