Seven decades melt away as World War II vet buckles himself into plane and the memories it carries

[Omaha Steve]

X post from GD.

My post last year about riding in a B-17 with the same preservation group: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026991786

OS

http://www.omaha.com/news/military/seven-decades-melt-away-as-world-war-ii-vet-buckles/article_8b8b2432-ad7c-5a6b-a4d9-bfad1833bb90.html




By Reece Ristau

As 95-year-old Willard Hunzeker fumbled with the plane’s seat belt, he thought back seven decades to the last time he was in a B-24.

“At 95, it’s going to be a little different than 22,” he said. “I hope the body can stand it.”

When Hunzeker last flew in a plane like this it was the summer of 1945. World War II would end in a matter of weeks, and Hunzeker, a navigator for the planes, was about to be relieved of duty after 33 missions.

Friday afternoon, more than 70 years after his last flight, the veteran got a sky-high surprise, getting to ride along on the world’s last fully restored, operational B-24J Liberator.

FULL story and video at link.