Do dreams really come true? For Addie Meedom House resident Vernon Vonheeder they certainly do.

Vonheeder's wish was to fly again, but at age 89 he thought that those days were behind him.

His flying days began as a Navy pilot during World War II when he flew the P2V Neptune, a twin-engine military aircraft that was designed to hunt for submarines. His job was to train women pilots.

Vonheeder had always wanted to get back in the cockpit. According to Addie Meedom House Administrator Michelle Villarreal, Vonheeder was full of stories about his flying days and he said that one of his dreams was to get into the air again.

"I just knew that I had to find a way to make that dream come true," said Villarreal.

Addie Meedom House Life Engagement Coordinator Linda Fiester contacted Dan Brattain of Cal-Ore Life Flight to see what could be done. Brattain also wanted to help make Vonheeder's dream come true.

It all came together last Sunday during the Azalea Festival Airport Days. Vonheeder got his chance to again be up in the air, only this time in a modern helicopter.

Brattain says, "I have a soft place in my heart for old pilots and wanted to see one of our war heroes have one last chance to see the ground from the air."