Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation gives local seniors the chance to soar.

By Mary O’KEEFE

On Tuesday seven men and one woman, all in their 80s and 90s, sat quietly among friends and family in the lobby of Signature Flight Support in Van Nuys. All residents of Scholl Canyon Estates, an assisted living facility in Glendale, they were excited about what they were about to do … take a 20-minute flight in a WWII Boeing Stearman biplane, the plane pilots trained in during WWII.

People came and went through the Signature lobby, all hurrying to get to their own flight, oblivious to the important roles in history that these men, and woman, played in United States history. From the simple act of listening to soldiers who “just needed to talk” when they were on leave during WWII to those working on fighter jets during the Korean War and supplying much-needed weapons to soldiers on the front to capturing Nazi Hermann Goering, these seniors made significant contributions to America.

Gordon Reynertson, 96, looked forward to his biplane flight. He had taken a helicopter ride once in the past and said he loved it.

“We flew over the city and Malibu,” he said.

Reynertson is a veteran of WWII, enlisting in 1943 and serving in the U.S. Army, Cactus Division, 103rd. He served in the Battle of Rhineland as part of the Central Europe campaign.

When asked what he did in WWII, Reynertson replied, “Well, we captured Hermann Goering. He was the number one Nazi wanted at the time. Hitler was dead.”

During WWII, Goering was commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe and head of the Gestapo. It was Goering who ordered the purging of German Jews from the economy initiating an “Aryanization” policy that confiscated property and businesses from Jews.

“I saw a man with a really nice coat sitting on [some rocks] crying,” Reynertson said of Goering. “I knew who he was. I recognized him.”

Reynertson, who was with three other soldiers, said Goering was apparently stuck in the chaos that was the celebration of the end of the war. The soldiers turned him over to their superiors but before they did Reynertson took pictures of himself wearing Goering’s nice jacket.

He said he asked Goering if he was hungry; he said he wasn’t. Reynertson returned Goering’s coat and then U.S. officials took him away to later face the trials at Nuremberg. 

In August, Reynertson was honored by Congressman Adam Schiff who presented him with the medals he earned during his service including the Bronze Star, Good Conduct, American Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, WWII Victory, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Honorable Service lapel button and a sharpshooter badge.

Jean Vernon, 96, was also waiting for a ride in the biplane.

“I don’t know why I am here, I didn’t serve in the military. But I did serve a lot of coffee,” she joked.

Vernon volunteered at the USO during WWII.

“I have never served so much coffee, or danced with so many servicemen, in my life,” she said.

She spent many hours at the USO volunteering and helping in any way she could.

“You know, sometimes these guys just wanted someone to talk to,” she said.

She later married James, a man who served in WWII. Once out of the service her husband had a career teaching at Pierce and LA City colleges.

Vernon, whose energy could rival that of any 18-year-old, was excited about getting the opportunity to fly in the plane. She waited most of the day, about six hours, for her turn to fly. When it finally came, she climbed into the front seat and was ready to go.

“It was fantastic,” Vernon said after the flight. “Wonderful and exciting. I love to fly. It has always enchanted me.”

“Wow,” said Bob Wilkins after his flight. “I’m floating,”

Wilkins served in the Air Force and Reserves. His energy matched Vernon’s as he waited for his turn in the biplane.

Bob Nellis served in the U.S. Navy on a carrier during the Korean War.

“I was never on the ground,” he said.

Nellis got into the service just before the war ended and, in those last four months, went on 44 missions.

He was a little concerned about getting in and out of the seat of the biplane but with help from Sport Clips volunteers, a large supporter of the event, he was able to do it. Sport Clips provided financial and physical support for the event, organized by Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, which supplies these flights for seniors and veterans.

Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation has four planes, soon to be five, and with volunteers travel the country to provide flights for seniors and veterans.

“We have done almost 4,000 flights,” said Lynn Sommars who, along with her pilot husband Mike, are volunteers with the foundation.

Lynn is a registered nurse who retired just weeks ago. Mike is a pilot with American Airlines. The couple has been traveling from one airport to another for over 10 days. They are volunteers, as are most of those with Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. The couple loves doing this type of event.

Lynn said she loves seeing the faces of the seniors once they get into the seat of the plane and then seeing how excited they are when they finish their flight.

“It really is a nice experience for them as well as us,” said Nikki Landers, a volunteer from Sport Clips.

She, along with Cheryl Outlaw and Nicole White, volunteered for the day to help the riders in and out of the plane. They spent time talking to them and, when needed, reassuring them that could make it into the flight seat.

Ron Chamberlain is an owner of 22 Sport Clips and was also there to help. All volunteers said they felt honored to be able to support this organization and the seniors.

Marybeth Thicke, Scholl Canyon Estates activity coordinator, said when she heard about the organization she contacted them immediately.

“But I have been on the waiting list for a year,” she said.

There were some tears as she watched her residents get this amazing chance to fly. The day was long but the chance to fly was worth it. The temperature had climbed and the plane needed to cool down, then needed oil and gas, but throughout the wait those who had flown encouraged those who were still waiting.

At last the final flyer was up, Carl Held, 88. He served in Korea in the chemical warfare division. After his service he went into show business and was, and still is, an actor. He has worked on several projects including “Perry Mason,” “Star Trek” the original series, “Charlie’s Angels” and “Falcon Crest.” In addition he is a writer, penning articles for several magazines.

“I started on Broadway,” he said.

His wife, who passed away about four years ago, was Sarah Marshall. She was a British actress. The couple spent their careers in Hollywood and England.

Held was the last one to climb up the stepladder onto the wing and into the flight seat. And as he listened to the instructions by pilot Mike, his fellow Scholl Canyon residents cheered him on.

Others who took flight on Tuesday were veterans Lee “Doc” Hillburg, Lowell Beezley and Vern Koehn.

For more information on the Ageless Aviation Dream Foundation visit www.AgelessAviationDreams.org.

  Mary Okeefe