Roger D., 95, immediately joined the Navy after he heard that the Japanese had hit Pearl Harbor. Roger was in the middle of pursuing his college degree when the call to duty came, and he dropped everything to defend his country. Roger soon became a pilot in the Navy, flying all across Europe and training others. Roger left the Navy in 1946, when his first child was born. At that point, Roger began integrating himself into civilian life and worked very hard to give back and support his family.
Although Roger loved the life’s path he chose, he still misses flying in an airplane. After almost 70 years, Roger wishes to return to the air, and to feel the freedom of flying once again. Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale Senior Living were absolutely thrilled to be granting Roger’s wish and honor his illustrious career in the air. On Saturday May 27th, Roger boarded the SNJ 5 and took a 30 minute flight in front of his friends and family. Not only did Roger experience the 30 minute flight, but he was surprised with the opportunity to actually fly the plane. Captain Trey Hayden let Roger fly the plane on his own, and Roger reportedly handled it like a true pro. Roger described this day as perfect and his family told Wish of a Lifetime how special it was to see their dad live his dream.
