- December 20, 2024
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Ralph Moniello is ready for his Dream Flight in a restored World War II-era Stearman biplane. Courtesy photo
Tim Brennan and the pilot gives the thumbs-up signal before takeoff. Courtesy photo
One of the senior veterans is given a Dream Flight in the restored World War II-era Stearman biplane. Courtesy photo
The five residents who received Dream Flights on Nov. 3, from left: Ralph Moniello, Phillip Kasper, Hoy Cullifer, Daniel Kerins and Tim Brennan. Courtesy photo
Flagler Palm Coast JROTC cadets present colors during the national anthem before the Dream Flights. Courtesy photo
Phillip Kasper is all smiles before takeoff. Courtesy photo
Daniel Kerins steps off the biplane. Courtesy photo
On Nov. 3, the nonprofit Dream Flights honored five senior veterans from Sancerre at Palm Coast assisted living community with free flights in a restored World War II-era Stearman biplane. The flights were held at Flagler Executive Airport.
The five honored veterans were Hoy Cullifer, Tim Brennan, Ralph Moniello, Daniel Kerins and Phillip Kasper. Brennan was in the Air Force for 25 years and then worked at the Pentagon. Moniello was in the Air Force and the Army and was a local firefighter.
Cullifer was a hospital corpsman in the Navy and was very proud to have helped bring closure to fallen solders' families, said Nicolle Crow, Sancerre’s resident experience director. Kerins was also in the Navy, and was promoted to master chief in five years. Kasper served in the Marines.
The biplane was the same aircraft that was used to train aviators during Wrold War II.
Dream Flights’ mission is to give back to those who gave. During the 20-minute flight, Dream Flyers experience the freedom and exhilaration of soaring 1,000 feet in the air in an iconic, open-cockpit-biplane.
Following the flight, the Dream Flyers receive a signed Dream Flights baseball cap and friends and family gathered around the Stearman for a group photo. The Dream Flyers will receive a customized certificate with a photo of them sitting in the cockpit of the plane.
“It truly was a great day,” Crow said. “The Dream Flight crew was so kind. We hope to do it again next year.”
