93-year-old veteran takes biplane ‘Dream Flight’

Talk about a Sunday morning he’ll never forget.

Meet Ed Harp, who spent 20 minute flying above Sioux Falls in a open-cockpit, fully restored, WWII-era Stearman biplane.

“My favorite part was trying to keep the wind out of my eyes. It was so windy up there,” he joked with pilots afterward.

“I feel so big.”

By “big” he meant significant – and with good reason.

There are only 100,000 veterans of World War II still living, and the youngest is 92.

Harp, at 93, lives at Good Samaritan Society – Prairie Creek Lodge, which connected him with the nonprofit Dream Flights. Its pilots primarily fly for major airlines and are active duty or retired military veterans themselves. They volunteer their time to fly veterans in the country’s largest fleet of restored and fully operational Stearman biplanes, taking them 1,000 feet into the air.

“When the plane came onto the runway, Ed made his way to the window to watch in awe. His face lit up knowing that was the plane he would be flying in,” said Barbara Jost, Good Samaritan Society Prairie Creek activities coordinator.

“We think of our residents like family, and Ed is such a special person. We are so grateful to honor Ed with a Dream Flight and say ‘thank you’ for his service. The joy this experience brought Ed and his family is priceless and something they will never forget.”

Harp, a Mobridge native, attended USD and spent two years on a Navy ship in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. On Sunday, the pilot had him sign the tail of the plane, along with other veterans who have flown in it, and he received a special commemorative hat signed by the pilot.

“You all have been so nice to me. Thank you,” Harp said. “I still can’t believe it.”