NORWOOD – A piece of living history is soaring into Norwood next week to give two local heroes the ride of a lifetime.
On Friday, July 24, 2026, the national non-profit organization Dream Flights will land at Norwood Memorial Airport to honor two senior veterans with flights in a beautifully restored World War II-era Stearman biplane.
For these two local veterans, the morning will offer a nostalgic and exhilarating step back in time. During the 15-minute flights, they will experience the wind-in-your-face thrill of soaring 1,000 feet above the ground in an open-cockpit biplane, the exact aircraft once used to train military aviators during the Second World War.
The emotional journey doesn’t end when the wheels touch the runway. Following their flights, each veteran will be presented with a commemorative Dream Flights baseball hat, hand-signed by their pilot.
If either of the honored guests is a World War II veteran, they will also participate in a sacred modern tradition: signing the aircraft’s tail. This custom began in 2021 during “Operation September Freedom,” a historic 61-day national tour that honored 891 members of the Greatest Generation.
Local residents, supporters, and media are encouraged to come out to support these local veterans as they take to the skies:
- When: Friday, July 24, 2026
- Time: Event begins at 9:00 AM
- Where: Boston Executive at Norwood Memorial Airport: 209 Access Road, Gate 3, Norwood, MA 02062
This event promises to be highly visual and emotionally charged. Spectators can expect excellent opportunities for photos and video, including watching the takeoffs and Landings of the iconic, bright-yellow WWII Stearman biplane; the post-flight celebrations, featuring emotional family reunions, salutes, and smiles as well as the tail-signing ceremony, capturing a permanent piece of history being written on the plane itself.
This is sure to be a great moment for Norwood Memorial Airport that is sure to entertain the spectators and honor our service members. -RD
