About Us

Flight of the Flags didn't start with just one idea. It grew out of three.

I am fortunate to be a volunteer at the Liberty Aviation Museum where I help with maintaining their WWII aircraft - a Stearman, TBM Avenger, PBY Catalina and a B-25. These airplanes are expensive to operate, so they don't get to fly as often as they should. I thought, "What could I do to get these planes in the air?" Idea number one.

My love for older classic aircraft tended to bring me in contact with gentlemen about thirty years older than me. This would be the WWII and Korean War generation. Unfortunately, they have all passed away.

I was asked to be a pallbearer for the first of many funerals to come. Bill had been a B-24 pilot in the war and I was surprised to see his casket draped with a flag when I entered the church. I was careful not to touch it when we took him to the hearse as I didn't want to scar it in any way.

When we got to the cemetery, there was a group of men in uniform off in the distance with a lone trumpeter to the side. I was surprised to find when we pulled up that they had been in place waiting for us. After the service, the Honor Guard properly folded Bill's flag and presented it to the woman he had shared his life with - Helen. A rifle salute sounded as Taps echoed in the background. I had never seen a military funeral before. It moved me and I thought "Everyone should see this, not just the families burying a veteran." Idea number two.

My best frie·nd was a SeaBee in WWII and also a lifelong pilot. When a pilot passes away, there is a custom called a "Gone West" flight. At the end of the graveside service, a plane will fly overhead going westbound and wag its wings in a last goodbye. I wanted to be that pilot, but once again I was a pallbearer, so I had a friend do the duties.

As he flew overhead, he didn't wag his wings. He gracefully did a complete roll and then flew on to the west. Everyone at the funeral started clapping, cheering, whistling while they stomped their feet in the grass. I wondered "How can such a sad occasion turn into almost a party?" Idea number three.

I asked the museum if they would allow me to sponsor a flight of the B-25. I explained that I wanted to invite the public to bring the folded funeral flags of deceased veterans, firemen, policemen and first responders. We would then place them on the plane and fly over the families and then out to the Lake Erie islands to circle Perry's Victory Monument. A local VFW demonstrated the formal folding of a flag and then provided a three round volley and the playing of Taps as the bomber flew overhead. The flags were returned to their owners after the plane landed.

It all went so well, but something happened that I hadn't anticipated. I was taken back by the tears from the crowd. I decided then and there that this was not going to be a one time affair. We now have several Flight of the Flags each year and it has spread to four states so far. I plan to keep doing this until my friends are asked to be my pallbearers. And I hope a plane does a roll for my Gone West tribute.

Brian Safran President