(Alexandria, Va.) – Argentum 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.
“OSF is the largest barnstorming event in history,” according to Darryl Fisher, Dream Flights founder and president. “This tour might be our country’s last chance to honor the Greatest Generation. We need all Americans to join our mission by helping us locate WWII veterans and donating to OSF to cover the cost of Dream Flight.”
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.
“This rare opportunity shows how vibrant older adults are, and how much they bring to all our lives and communities,” said James Balda, Argentum president and CEO. “It also gives us a chance to thank these veterans.”
“Our crew and our nation’s WWII veterans thank Argentum for supporting Operation September Freedom,” said Fisher. “Argentum advocates for the dignity and quality of life for all older adults, including our senior veterans. Together, we have an opportunity to improve the lives of senior veterans in a unique and historical way.”
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.
About Operation September Freedom’s Logo
September 2, 1945, marked the official end of the Second World War when Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender in Tokyo Bay. There was much symbolism surrounding the event. This same symbolism was incorporated into the design of the OSF logo.
About Argentum
Argentum is the leading national association exclusively dedicated to supporting companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the older adults and families they serve. Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults.
Argentum member companies operate senior living communities offering assisted living, independent living, continuing care, and memory care services. Along with its state partners, Argentum’s membership represents approximately 75 percent of the senior living industry—an industry with a national economic impact of nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars and responsible for providing over 1.6 million jobs. These numbers will continue to grow as the U.S. population ages.
Argentum’s programs and initiatives are driven by its membership. For more information about joining Argentum, please visit argentum.org/membership. Learn more at argentum.org.
About Dream Flights
Dream Flights (formerly known as Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation) is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the service, sacrifice and stories of America’s senior veterans by providing them with a life-changing experience: an open-air flight in the cockpit of one of Dream Flights’ fleet of fully restored WWII-era Stearman biplanes. From its founding in 2011 to today, the organization has honored more than 4,200 veterans and seniors with free Dream Flights. Each is made possible through the generous donations of corporate sponsors including SportClips, DirectSupply, American Airlines, individuals and businesses from across the country and volunteer Dream Flight pilots and crew, many of whom are veterans themselves, all of whom support Dream Flights’ mission of “Giving Back To Those Who Gave.” Follow @DreamFlightsOrg on social media and visit www.dreamflights.org.
