Ageless Aviation returns to Darlington
Veteran David Vaughan of Darlington with AADF President Darryl Fisher prepares for his Dream Flight in the Boeing Stearman open cockpit biplane.
Photo by Jana E. Pye
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Veterans of Darlington County experienced Dream Flights from Branhams Airport in Darlington as part of the Darlington Raceway Bojangles’ Southern 500 Race Weekend for the second year, thanks to the efforts of the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation (AADF).
To thank them, the Dixie Credit Union presented AADF President Darryl Fisher a donation of $5,000 to help with his efforts of providing the flight of a lifetime to military veterans in a restored gold and blue Boeing Stearman open cockpit biplane.
Presenting the check on behalf of the Board of Directors of Dixies Credit Union was James Branham of Darlington. “We want to thank them for their efforts, and want to help them with their mission to support our US veterans,” said Branham.
James Branham representing the Board of Directors of Dixies Federal Credit Union of Darlington presents AADF President Darryl Fisher with a check for $5,000 to assist with the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation mission to provide Dream Flights to US military veterans. Pictured left to right: Danny Weaver, Grady Weaver, Commander of American Legion Post #13, James Branham of Dixies Federal Credit Union, AADF President Darryl Fisher, Helen Gratiex, Karl Gratiex, and Mike Beckham.
Photo by Jana E. Pye
The AADF, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to honoring seniors and United States military veterans. Their primary focus is individuals living in long term care communities, but occasionally provide flights to other veterans, such as those in the Darlington area. Their mission is: “Give back to those who have given.”
In addition to the flight, veterans are given a cap signed by the pilot, and a flight certificate is mailed to them to keep along with a photo.
Veteran David Vaughan of Darlington prepares for his Dream Flight with AADF President Darryl Fisher in the Boeing Stearman open cockpit biplane.
Photo by Jana E. Pye
Mike Beckham of the American Legion Post #13 helped organize the flight times for AADF both years, and wanted to commend the owners of Branham’s Airport Dwayne Weatherford and his brother Donny Weatherford, and Scott Eagerton and his associates for the fine job they did preparing the airport for this year’s event. Refreshments were on hand to help keep the AADF and the veterans cool in the hot early September temperatures. “We are thrilled to have them back,” said Beckham. Twenty-four veterans were slated for flights this year. Although the flights are full, there are plenty of photo opportunities for veterans and their families to see the plane.
Grady Weaver, Commander for the American Legion Post #13, shared that there are 5, 730 veterans in Darlington County. “That is a lot of folks,” said Weaver. “Both men and women. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could keep doing this each year, and get them all up for a flight?”
After bringing David Vaughan of Darlington up for a tour of the area in the biplane, AADF President Darryl Fisher was given the donation from the Dixies Federal Credit Union, and he and fellow volunteers Karl and Helen Graviex were given military Bibles by the Post #13 to commemorate their visit to Darlington and thank them.
American Legion Post #13 Commander Grady Weaver presents AADF President Darryl Fisher and AADF Volunteers fellow pilot Karl Gratiex and his wife Helen Gratiex with military Bibles to commemorate their visit to Darlington, and thank them for the gift of Dream Flights for US military veterans. Left to right: Grady Weaver, Darryl Fisher, Karl Gratiex, Helen Gratiex, and Mike Beckham.
Photo by Jana E. Pye
“It’s an honor to be able to do what we do for the people who served our country,” said Fisher. “It’s incredible. It’s so humbling when they support our organization like this- we are all volunteers we do it because we love the veterans.”
Fisher said that this year the AADF has been able to give over 500 Dream Flights to veterans, and expect between 700-800 the end of the year. “We gave 650 last year,” he said. “This is going to be a big year. It continues to grow, and people keep requesting us to come. We feel a sense of urgency- particularly with WWII veterans, because we are losing them really fast.”
Fisher noted that their largest corporate sponsor SportClips won big last year at the Darlington Raceway Labor Day Weekend races, with sponsored driver Carl Edwards winning the 2015 Bojangles’ Southern 500 driving the No. 19 Toyota Camry, and fellow driver Denny Hamlin winning the 2015 VFW SportClips Help a Hero 200 race the day before. “It was a big year for SportClips!”
Last year, Fisher didn’t fly any veterans; fellow AAFD volunteer pilot Mike Winterboer flew each one. “I have harassed him all year long,” laughed Fisher. “I took none! I love coming here. When we left here last year, I couldn’t wait to get back.”
A few new pilots are coming on to help give a flight, which has helped Fisher tremendously
“We have just been swamped,” he said. “I’m on a stretch here now where I am only home three days in the month. It is hard to say no… I mean, it’s hard to disappoint people. If we don’t get there this year, and we wait till next year, what if those veterans are no longer with us?”
Foundation:
Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation is a non-profit organization established and dedicated to honoring seniors and United States military veterans. The primary focus is on individuals living in long-term care communities. Their mission is to “Give Back To Those Who Have Given”. Through its donors, the Foundation provides Dream Flights in an open-cockpit Boeing Stearman biplane, the same aircraft used to train many military aviators in the late thirties and early forties.
The Foundation is completely made up of volunteers who schedule and provide Dream Flights around the country. The Foundation is funded through corporations and private donations. Every dollar received is applied towards the costs of the airplanes and Dream Flight events.
To learn more, visit: www.agelessaviationdreams.org
Read more about the plane below the photo slideshow.
Mobile users, to see photos please click link: Ageless Aviation Foundation Dream Flights
The Stearman
The Boeing Stearman is the same aircraft used to train many military aviators in World War II. They were used as trainers for the United States Army Air Force, United States Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. There were at least 10,626 built during the 1930’s and ‘40’s. In post-war years, they were auctioned off and used for crop dusting or aerobatics. The timeless design of the radial engine was commonly used in aircraft from the 1920’s-1940’s. Its low, raspy engine sound is unforgettable and has the innate ability to bring back nostalgic memories for veterans and seniors.
The Foundation has three, completely restored 1940’s Boeing Stearman airplanes to give Dream Flights. The three airplanes are staged in different locations to allow us the opportunity to honor seniors and veterans throughout the United States.
“My grandfather bought this airplane in 1946 and sold it in ’48 to an inland air service in Wananchee Washington,” said Fisher. “They sprayed with it for 34 years. I spoke with the pilot and the mechanic that was with this airplane the entire time. They had ten Stearmans that they sprayed with, and this is the only one that they never wrecked. If you can believe that!” he said, chuckling. “It’s just nearly impossible.”
Later on, Fisher’s uncle found the plane and bought it in 1982 to use to fertilize crops for around four years.
“By that point in time it was just a bucket of bolts,” recalled Fisher. “It was tired, worn out. So from about late 80’s to 2004 it was just in pieces in his hanger. He called me and said ‘Hey, I’m gonna sell the airplane, I don’t have the time to restore it’ It took me about two seconds. All I said was, SOLD. At this point in time there is an emotional attachment. I shipped this, my other airplane, and my Dad’s Stearman down to Mississippi to a gentleman by the name of Pete Jones Air Repair. We loaded up a semi with parts and pieces of three airplanes, our engines and propellers- and two years later he built us three new airplanes. It was finished in 2008 and two or three years I had it and flew it here and there a little bit, but what do you do with them? At some point in time they just sit in the hangar. This allows us to give back to veterans. It is so gratifying, and we are so blessed to be able to do this.”