There’s a whole slew of ways to celebrate the day you were born.
Cake. Drinks. Balloons. A steak dinner. Or lobster. Or bowling.
But for World War II veteran Warren Widdison, the milestone — his 90th — called for something really, really special.
Like flying in the same aircraft he once toured in while serving his country and fighting fascism back in the 1940s — a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
It went down on Friday, in Caldwell, Idaho at Caldwell Night Rodeo Friday where Widdison was among a group of men and women honored as patriots for the event’s appropriately named “Patriot Night”.
This particular B-17 was named “Aluminum Overcast”, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Widdison was giddy getting back in its generous saddle.
This from KTVB:
“Nothing sounds like the B-17 motors when they are running, so it’s wonderful,” Widdison said.
The B-17 is in town for a stop on it’s national tour, bringing the chance to fly through history to the Treasure Valley.
Ryan Navin, the B-17 tour coordinator, said only a handful of B-17s are still in use.
“There was over 12,000 built in the war, and there are only 11 remaining in flying condition,” Navin said. “Of those eleven, only five fly regularly.”