Bob Buckler, 97, of Shaler gives the thumbs up for his flight.

PENN TWP – Earlier this month a special flight carrying a very special passenger took off from the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport.

World War II veteran Bob Buckler, 97 of Shaler was given a ride in a biplane that dates back to the time of his own military service.

Buckler was the guest of the Dream Flights, a nonprofit group that was formed in 2011. It honors veterans with its by traveling around the country giving the veterans rides in a restored Boeing Stearman biplane trainer used in pilot training during the Second World War.

Buckler, who was a tail gunner on a B-17 that flew 22 bombing missions over Europe, said, “I sat up front. This fella gave me a nice ride. We did some half loops. He kept checking on me.”

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World War II veteran Bob Buckler signs the tail of the Boeing Steadman trainer after his flight at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport. SUBMITTED PHOTO