Independence Village of Pella celebrated a big day for one of its memory care residents, John, and helped fulfill his dream of piloting an airplane again.
Flying was a part of John’s everyday life. He worked for Pittsburg-Des Moines Steel as a welder, constructing large water towers nationwide. To make traveling easier to worksites and be able to come home on the weekends, John purchased a 1946 Cessna 140 tail-dragged airplane. He also used the plane to transport his wife to doctor appointments and treat his children to playful rides with loops and rolls.

“Once a pilot has enjoyed the freedom of flight, it’s something you won’t ever forget,” John said. To fulfill John’s dream to take to the skies once more, the team at Independence Village of Pella organized a flight around the area, where John flew over Independence Village of Pella, Lake Red Rock, Iowa Speedway and the city of
Pella earlier this month.

This flight is part of the Dream Big initiative, which uses donations — raised by the Dream Big Fund — to make residents’ dreams come true.