Local

World War II veterans take flight in Kissimmee

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — More than a half-dozen local World War II veterans took to the air in vintage planes Wednesday as part of an event at Kissimmee Gateway Airport to honor their service.

Niles Maroney, 92, took the first flight Wednesday in a World War II-era biplane thanks to nonprofit organization Ageless Aviation Dreams.

The organization’s motto is to “give back to those who have given,” and what it gave Wednesday was free flights for veterans and their families.

Photos: WWII veterans take flight in Kissimmee

Maroney is a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army who was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge.

Ageless Aviation Dreams gives free flights to veterans all over the country in Boeing Stearman biplanes, which were used as training aircraft for aviators in the 1940s.