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Macungie World War II vet gets biplane ride to commemorate end of war in 1945

Published August 25. 2021 02:17PM
by jim marsh Special to The Press

Macungie World War II combat veteran Bert Winzer was taken for a ride last week.

The 98-year-old Winzer was one of 277 World War II vets nationwide who have been flown around their hometown skies since Aug. 1 by Dream Flights, a nonprofit corporation operating out of Carson City, Nev.

At that time, Dream Flights launched “Operation September Freedom” to celebrate World War II veterans and give them the plane ride of their lives.

The airplane fleet used by Dream Flights is composed of six restored 1940s-era Stearman biplanes used to train Army pilots for the war.

Dream Flight’s goal is to visit 300-plus cities across America and host more than 1,000 veterans during 61 days of Operation September Freedom.

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only an estimated 100,000 will be alive in 2021. The youngest will be 95.

Sept. 2 will mark 76 years since the signing of the Japanese instrument of surrender, which effectively ended the war.

Since the launch of Dream Flights in 2011, free flights of a lifetime have been given to more than 4,200 veterans and seniors living in long-term care communities. Fewer and fewer of the Dream Flyers are World War II veterans.

In 2021, Dream Flights determined to dedicate its entire Dream Flight Tour to World War II veterans. Dream Flight’s mission is to honor as many as possible, thanking them for fighting for freedom.

Winzer was nominated by his son, Kim, of Northampton, for the 20-minute flight over the Lehigh Valley. The flight included a pass over his Macungie neighborhood.

Although a macular degeneration affliction of his eyes prevented Winzer from seeing the balloons his family put out to help identify his home, Winzer said his peripheral vision helped him recognize the cul-de-sac where he resides.

Some two-dozen friends and family were at the Queen City Airport to help Winzer celebrate the occasion.

Winzer served in North Africa and the European Theater of the war. He was a commando in the renowned Black Devils unit of the 1st Special Services Force in World War II. That force was a precursor to today’s elite special operations military units.

The Black Devils were featured in a 1968 movie, “The Devil’s Brigade,” which celebrated their operations.

Winzer gave a big “thumbs up” at the end of his flight. He was given a flight cap signed by his pilot Marcus Smith.Winzer added his name to the Black Devils’ logo on the biplane and he signed the tail rudder that displays the names of others who have been on a Dream Flight in that airplane.

Smith indicated he enjoyed Winzer’s flight as much as Winzer himself. “The feeling you get from giving a dream flight is unmatched,” Smith said. “It’s amazing how positive an airplane ride can be in someone’s life.”

Additional information about the organization can be found on the website www.dreamflights.org.

Dream Flights pilot Marcus Smith, based out of Durham, N.C., chats with 98-year-old World War II veteran Bert Winzer, of Macungie, in the reception area at Queen City Airport, Allentown, before taking Winzer on a 1940-era biplane ride over the Lehigh Valley Aug. 17.
Ninety-eight-year-old World War II veteran Bert Winzer, seated, poses for a photo with nearly two dozen friends and family members who traveled to Queen City Airport to see Winzer off on a 20-minute biplane flight over the Lehigh Valley Aug. 17. The nonprofit Dream Flights organization, out of Carson City, Nev., is hosting World War II vets across the country in “Operation September Freedom” to commemorate the end of World War II in September 1945. PRESS PHOTOS BY JIM MARSH
A restored World War II-era Stearman biplane takes off from Queen City Airport Aug. 17 to give World War II veteran Bert Winzer, of Macungie, a 20-minute ride over the Lehigh Valley as part of a nationwide effort to recognize World War II vets in “Operation September Freedom” commemorating the end of World War II in September 1945.
PRESS PHOTO BY JIM MARSH Ninety-eight-year-old World War II veteran Bert Winzer, of Macungie, gives a thumbs-up after his biplane ride over the Lehigh Valley Aug. 17.
World War II combat veteran Bert Winzer, of Macungie, adds his signature on the tail rudder of a World War II-era pilot training biplane with the names of other vets who have been given rides over their hometowns.