90-Year-Old Veteran Fulfills High-Flying Dream

Dick Swem, 90, took his grandson and a flight instructor for an hour-long ride on a small aircraft at Andrews University Airpark, checking an item off of his bucket list.

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Andrews University Board Member Dana Wales said he had spoken with Swem only a few weeks ago when he found out that it was on Swem’s bucket list to fly a small aircraft.

Wales said he made a few phone calls to friends at Andrews University and they were more than happy to get involved.

“We brought this together quite quickly,” Wales said. “The university has been fantastic and has helped so much.”

Swem, a longtime Buchanan resident, funeral director and Korean War veteran had previous flight experience through pilot’s lessons he took many years ago, but never finished.

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Additionally, Swem shared that he took his grandson, Patrick, on his first flight at Andrews University about 23 years ago. While he wasn’t the one piloting during that flight, Swem said it was a special moment for the two of them, who are passionate about aviation.

“My grandson has had an interest in aviation that started at an early age,” Swem said.

Recreating the decades-old memory, the two are sharing a flight once again. However, this time Swem is in the cockpit.

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