Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the immense sacrifices and bravery of the men and women who have served in our military. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the deep emotional and personal journeys that many veterans have navigated throughout their lives. Among the efforts to honor these veterans, Dream Flights stands out as a remarkable program that combines adventure, nostalgia, and gratitude by offering exhilarating flights in vintage WWII-era open-cockpit biplanes. These flights are not just recreational experiences—they are meaningful gestures that restore pride, evoke memories, and connect veterans with communities that cherish their service.
This year, Dream Flights celebrated one such special moment by flying Arlene Mary Frank Edwards, a Vietnam War veteran nurse, on August 13th, just three days before her 78th birthday. Arlene’s story exemplifies the resilience, dedication, and quiet courage of countless veterans—particularly women—who served under extraordinary circumstances during the Vietnam War. Her flight and the recognition that accompanied it were reminders that her service, like that of many others, deserves to be remembered, honored, and celebrated.
A Vietnam Nurse’s Story: Arlene Mary Frank Edwards
Arlene Mary Frank Edwards served as a nurse in the Vietnam War—a conflict that saw more than 10,000 women step forward to contribute to the mission, 7,000 of whom were nurses. These women worked tirelessly in combat zones, treating wounded soldiers, providing comfort, and sometimes performing medical miracles in the face of relentless challenges. Despite their crucial role, many women returning from Vietnam faced a lack of recognition. Veterans like Arlene were met with indifference, sometimes even hostility.
Reflecting on her Dream Flight, Arlene expressed the emotional weight of being invited. “I thought it was really cool when I was invited,” she said, “because for the most part, we Vietnam veterans were kind of pushed to the side. Just be quiet and go away. Especially for me as a nurse, we certainly were not included…it was like some people didn’t know there were nurses in Vietnam.”
Her words highlight a painful truth—women veterans, and especially nurses, have often been overlooked in the narrative of military service. The Dream Flight she received not only gave Arlene a thrilling experience but also carried a profound message: her service mattered, and her contributions were not forgotten.
The Magic of Dream Flights
Dream Flights was born out of a passion for honoring military veterans and providing them with an unforgettable experience—one that combines the thrill of flight with heartfelt recognition. Each year, the organization offers between 600 and 800 Dream Flights to veterans of WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, bringing joy to these remarkable individuals who have sacrificed so much.
The experience is as uplifting emotionally as it is physically. The WWII-era open-cockpit biplane takes veterans soaring through the skies, rekindling a sense of adventure and freedom. For many, this flight is not only exhilarating but also deeply meaningful—especially for veterans who often feel their service has been overlooked or forgotten over time.
The veterans Dream Flights serves are individuals who embody the core values of hard work, integrity, and patriotism. They are men and women who understand the value of a handshake, who greet people with a warm smile and look them in the eye, and for whom “God Bless America” is more than just words. These are America’s finest, and Dream Flights is committed to showing them gratitude in a way that is as bold and extraordinary as they are.
Celebrating the Women of Vietnam
The story of Arlene Mary Frank Edwards is part of a broader effort to recognize the contributions of women in the military—an effort that is long overdue. While nearly 10,000 women served in Vietnam, their stories have often remained in the shadows. Many of these women were nurses who faced not only the trauma of treating the wounded but also the emotional toll of being far from home in a hostile environment.
For women like Arlene, Dream Flights is more than just a moment of celebration—it is a symbolic act of recognition. It acknowledges the courage they displayed and offers validation for the struggles they endured, both during the war and upon their return. In many ways, these flights serve as belated thank-yous, filling the emotional gaps left by years of societal oversight.
The Impact of Gratitude
Veterans Day is not just a reminder of past service—it is a reminder of the power of gratitude in the present. Dream Flights represents this spirit of gratitude in action, offering veterans an experience that celebrates their legacy. The joy of flying through the skies, the camaraderie with other veterans, and the warm reception from communities are all part of what makes these flights so special.
The program also creates lasting connections between veterans and the people supporting them. Many flights are made possible thanks to the generosity of volunteers, sponsors, and community members who believe in honoring our nation’s heroes. These supporters recognize that while a single flight may only last a few minutes, the impact it has on a veteran’s heart can last a lifetime.
Honoring Heroes, One Flight at a Time
Dream Flights has established itself as a beacon of gratitude and respect for our nation’s senior military veterans. By providing these meaningful experiences, they ensure that the bravery, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans are not only remembered but also celebrated in tangible ways. Veterans who take part in Dream Flights often describe the experience as both exhilarating and healing, and for those like Arlene Mary Frank Edwards, it is a moment of recognition that carries profound emotional significance.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, let us honor the legacy of all who have served—especially those whose stories, like Arlene’s, may not have received the attention they deserved. Let us continue to offer gestures of gratitude that recognize their sacrifices and acknowledge their contributions. And let us support programs like Dream Flights, which remind our veterans that their service mattered, their stories are valued, and they will never be forgotten.
This Veterans Day, whether through a handshake, a thank-you, or a flight in an open-cockpit biplane, let us express our appreciation to the men and women who have served. These moments of recognition are not just about honoring the past—they are about building a future where every veteran feels seen, appreciated, and celebrated.
To Arlene, and to all our veterans, thank you for your service. If you feel inspired by the work Dream Flights is doing to honor our nation’s veterans, consider making a donation to support their mission. Your contribution helps provide these unforgettable experiences to the brave men and women who served our country. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference in showing gratitude to our veterans. To donate and help make more Dream Flights possible, please visit Dream Flights Donation Page. Together, we can continue to honor their service, one flight at a
