By Taylor J. Hale
Gazette Reporter

STEVENS POINT — Guns N’ Hoses, the Portage County-based collective of firefighters and law enforcement officers who organize fundraisers for local veterans, has teamed up with Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, to give vets a Dream Flight to remember by donating $10,000 to their organization.

The donation took place on Nov. 13, 2018, at the Stevens Point Fire Department.

The program gives local aging veterans a chance for an intimate flight in a fully restored 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane. The vets fly in the two-seaters alone with the pilots and travel all across central Wisconsin on a 45-minute trip they will never forget.

“This is the eighth year we have been giving Dream Flights in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It is part of a national organization based out of Nevada,” said David Lamken, Army Vet, and Organizer of the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. “They had three planes but none located in central America, so we have been raising money with the help of many great organizations, and we raised enough to buy our plane called the Spirit of Wisconsin. We will have it here next June with a big dedication ceremony. It will serve all of the central United States to honor
veterans.”

The flights are meant to give the ex-soldiers a reminder of their roots and show them that they are never forgotten. For many vets, the flights reignite a dwindling flame that has been waiting to burn.

“I got involved around four years ago when my dad was 90. He was a little down on life. He is a World War II vet. He had a chance to go in and fly. Ever since he got out of that plane, he has given up his wheelchair and used his cane,” Lamken said. The flights seem to give the veterans a form of remembrance that only the vibrations of a propeller spinning at mind-boggling RPMs can. The sounds, sights, and feelings can give them a new lease on life.

“It inspires people,” Lamken explained.

Kevin Ruder, Lead Organizer of Guns N’ Hoses, and former Police Chief of Stevens Point, is thrilled to have a chance to help raise money for the program to help vets fly. His organization’s fundraising events made this donation possible.

“This is the third year we have donated our earnings to the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. My favorite part about programs like this is building ties with the community and serving the veterans of Portage County,” Ruder said.

Ruder is thankful for the chance to help the vets that have dedicated themselves to protecting our country. He is also grateful for the help that people in his team have given him.

“I want to thank Traci Tauferner, who is a vet, and others for their massive help. I couldn’t have done anything without them,” Ruder explained.

The Dream Flights will take place in June when the new plane arrives. Veterans who are interested in the trips should apply on the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation website. For more info call 775-291-2835. Visit their website at www.agelessaviationdreams.org.