The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) collaborated with Dream Flights to honor seven veterans in Miami by providing them with complimentary flights in restored World War II-era biplanes. These planes, historically used for training aviators during the war, offered the veterans a unique opportunity to experience flight as it was in that era.
Dream Flights is dedicated to giving back to those who have served. The veterans, known as Dream Flyers, experienced a 20-minute flight reaching altitudes of 1,000 feet in an open-cockpit biplane. Before taking off, they were presented with FHCA challenge coins and medals from the Florida Veterans Foundation.
“We could not be more excited for our veteran residents and family members being honored today with flights of a lifetime,” stated Emmett Reed, CEO of FHCA. “These heroes dedicated their lives in service to our country, and it is an honor to have the opportunity to give back a small portion of what they gave to us.”
Marco Carrasco, FHCA District I President and administrator of Miami Shores Nursing & Rehab Center, added: "This was an incredible experience for our residents, who enjoyed being among their fellow veterans and sharing memories about their years of service."
Among those honored were Nick Antonacci Sr., Marie Felder, Javier Laffront, Esther Navarro (in honor of her husband Angel Navarro), Gene Pederson, and Golden Lee. Each has served in various capacities across different branches of the U.S. military.
Following the flights, participants received signed Dream Flights baseball hats and gathered for group photos around the Stearman aircraft. They will also receive customized certificates featuring photos taken in the cockpit.
Since its inception in 2011, Dream Flights has celebrated over 7,000 veterans and seniors residing in long-term care facilities. In 2021, it launched Operation September Freedom—a significant barnstorming event aimed at honoring World War II veterans across numerous U.S. cities.
U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Robert Brodie piloted the flights for this event. Dream Flight pilots are often active duty or retired military personnel who volunteer their time flying these historic planes.