World War Two veterans go on special flight in B-17 bomber

The Salinas Airshow takes to the skies this weekend and before planes wow the crowds, one special flight gave two veterans the experience of a lifetime.

“I’m offered this opportunity to renew a feeling, a dream, a poem that I used to live by, it’s unbelievable,” said World War Two pilot Ed Larson.

Two World War Two veterans are getting back in the saddle, ready to take flight on a B-17 bomber.

The Salinas Airshow honored Ed Larson and Ray Morasca with a flight of a lifetime. Larson served in the Air Force back in the 40s. He says being a pilot was a dream for as long as he can remember.

“I can remember my dad first took me up flying in a little old Aeronca C-3 and the first time I got off the ground, I knew it was something I was going to have to do.”

Larson doesn’t get off the ground as much as he used to, but he wasn’t the only one fired up to fly Monday. Ray Morasca served in the Army during the same time. He told KION this plane just isn’t like the others.

“To get a ride on that B-17 because there are very few of them left now and I guess just for the excitement of getting on a plane again,” said Ray Morasca.

“You can see the memories, you know, especially if they were pilots or a crew. Whenever we can fly veterans it makes it more fun and more enjoyable,” said Mike Mueller with the flight crew.