DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Some Central Illinois veterans got the chance to see the world from 1,000 feet up in the air on Wednesday.

Dream Flights honors senior veterans by taking them on plane rides and this week, they took veterans that live in Decatur for flights.

The atmosphere was filled with joy, as the pilot likened the flights to time machines. These World War II era bi-planes have the ability to transform passengers, so veterans aged 90 disembark feeling as invigorated as 40-year-olds.

For 11 years, Dream Flights has been dedicated to uplifting veterans by taking them to the skies. They particularly focus on veterans residing in nursing homes and assisted living centers, providing flights in World War II open-cockpit bi-planes that never fail to bring smiles to their faces.

“Our mission is simple, and it hasn’t changed. It’s giving back to those who gave,” President and pilot for Dream Flights, Darryl Fisher, said.

Since its inception, this non-profit has conducted nearly 8,000 flights, all free of charge for veterans. With an average veteran age of 90, Fisher describes these flights as a way to express their deep gratitude to those who served.

“We’re thanking them for everything they’ve done for us, the sacrifice, the service they’ve given us, our freedoms that we have today,” Fisher said.

A “First Special Service Force” logo is displayed on each plane. They were the original Special Forces unit in World War II.  

Fisher said that they were a small, specialized unit that did big things. Dream Flights have flown four members of that unit.

Each Dream Flight plane has something special on its tail—signatures of World War II veterans who have had the unforgettable experience of flying with them.

“It almost chokes me up. It’s so special,” Fisher said.

The signatures are fading, but Fisher said that, in a way, it makes sense.

“It’s symbolic of that generation, they’re fading out. It breaks my heart, but we’re losing them fast,” Fisher said.

Only a small fraction, less than 1%, of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are still living today. Dream Flights honors centenarian veterans with membership in their century flyer’s club, allowing them to enjoy annual flights after turning 100. On Wednesday, a distinguished member of this club participated.

“I’ll be 101 on October 16th,” Edward Paine said.

He is a World War II veteran with roots in Decatur since 1957. Paine served for three years in the Navy, initially as a pilot during much of the conflict, and later fulfilling duties wherever needed as the war progressed.

“They didn’t need any more pilots. They needed people to run small boats,” Paine said.

He’s been on two dream flights before and knew a thing or two about the planes.

“Both of them were fun because I had flown the planes in training and I thought I could fly it again if I had to. It’s good thing I didn’t though,” Paine joked.

Paine, who has seen it all and survived the unimaginable, gave a gentle reminder that every day is a gift.

“It’s nice to be here, it was nice to be alive after the war, and it’s nice to be alive today,” Paine said.

In the pilot’s words, he said that the “secret sauce” to giving to senior veterans is what comes back to you — and that’s priceless. Fisher encourages everyone to volunteer with and give back to the nation’s veterans.