CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — World War II Army veteran David Lee celebrated his 100th birthday with a surprise flight in a restored wartime aircraft Sept. 30, thanks to Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center students, teachers and community supporters.
The celebration at Ross County Airport grew out of a connection formed through Pickaway-Ross’ Voices of Freedom class, which records veterans’ stories for submission to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
Bobbi and Jeffery Hoffman, parents of students Laila and Makenzie, helped connect the program with Lee and his family last year. Students interviewed Lee, and they submitted his interview to the Veterans History Project.
Many students and teachers involved in Voices of Freedom attended Lee’s birthday party earlier this year, but they also wanted to arrange something special. Teachers Tea McCulla and Jennifer Widdig worked with students to plan a secret surprise: a reception followed by a flight in a restored 1943 Taylorcraft L-2M.
Pickaway-Ross Culinary Arts students developed the appetizer menu themselves, carefully planning offerings to fit the celebration and preparing the food before Lee arrived with his family. Their work helped set the stage for an event honoring his life and military service.
Although Lee knew he was coming to a celebration, he did not know he would be riding in the aircraft. He became emotional when the surprise was revealed and was excited and ready to take flight.
Before the ride, two students who had participated in Voices of Freedom presented Lee with a commemorative blanket embroidered with the U.S. Army emblem and his dates of service. He also received a collection of birthday cards created by Pickaway-Ross and Unioto Elementary School students.
Pilot Greg Miller then took Lee into the skies. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft circled back so students gathered at the airport could wave to Lee and he could wave back.
The flight route also took them over Unioto Elementary and Pickaway-Ross. At Pickaway-Ross, students and staff gathered outside with birthday banners and waved as the aircraft passed overhead. Miller banked the plane so Lee could see the celebration below and wave back.
Miller and aircraft owner Stan Tansky donated the plane and fuel. Johnson’s Design Plus donated the embroidery for the commemorative blanket, while Atomic Credit Union and Tim Wheeler Septic and Excavating sponsored the food and drinks.
The Voices of Freedom program proves that relationships can grow by listening to veterans and preserving their experiences. What began as an interview became an opportunity for students, educators and community members to come together to honor Lee’s service and celebrate a milestone birthday.