Page Field hosts Wings of Freedom Tour in Fort Myers

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Photo via WINK News.

World War II veterans can relive their memories up in the sky by jumping back into the same plane. And people get to see historic aircrafts and hear historic tales from our nation’s military veterans in Southwest Florida.

People are flocking to Collings Foundation’s 30th anniversary Wings of Freedom Tour that is currently hosted at Page Field in Fort Myers.

For Herbert Marks, a WWII veteran, seeing a B-24 is like seeing an old friend.

“Just to see this plane gives me little chills,” Marks said. “I was in the top, the side; I was in all the positions when you’re flying.”

William Mallor, a WW II veteran, also flew planes during the war.

“I remember spending a lot of time in the air,” Mallor said.

During the tour, people who attend get to step inside the planes that veterans like Mallor and Marks operated many moons ago.

“We have very, very few WWII veterans with us any more,” said Jamie Mitchell, coordinator of Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour. “And they don’t really teach a lot about WWII in schools.”

The tour features a P-51, B-17, and it showcases a B-24 Liberator aircraft. Once among 20,000 others, it is now the last of its kind left flying.

“To remember what the old-style planes were, what they did and how they did it, it’s amazing to see how this thing can even fly, but it does,” Marks said.

Some visitors even get a chance to fly the planes.

The planes will be on display at the Page Field until Thursday at noon.

Visit the foundation’s website for event details.

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