Veterans take flight ahead of Veterans day

Five veterans that call Yuma home took flight ahead of Veteran’s day at Millionaire Airport Friday.

Ralph Kern was one of those veterans.

“It was great. [I] had a wonderful time since its been years since I’ve flown,” explained Kern.

The last time the Korean and Vietnam Wars veteran took flight was nearly 43 years ago.

“The last one I flew was a Cessna 150,” said Kern.

The staff sergeant was not always active in the Army. He was originally in the national guard.

Three years after his time serving in the Vietnam war…he spent the remainder of his 20-year career in the military in aviation.

“I was a mechanic. I was an inspector. I was a crew chief,” said Kern.

Kern explained his extensive career all began with his friends.

“Well I kinda got talked into it with some buddies that I was running around with,” said Kern.

Kern remembered what got him to Yuma, giving him the opportunity to take just one more special flight.

“I like it down here. I was a snowbird. My wife and I used to come down here every year from Washington. One of my wife’s last requests, move to Yuma.”

The flights were all made possible by Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, who was sponsored by Sports Clips.

There will be another handful of veterans taking flight tomorrow at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to watch the flights at Millionaire Airport.