WWII vet: 'I never dreamed of this'; gets tour of B-29 bomber at airshow

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - Many people are celebrating Memorial Day weekend by honoring those who served in World War II.

A historic bomber and several fighter jets took to the skies in Huntsville Saturday.

"Brings back a lot of memories. I think about those times when I saw them on the horizon," said Warren Schmitt, a World War II vet.

Seven decades and several milestones later, Schmitt's memory is still fresh.

During the second World War, Schmitt flew 13 missions as a nose gunner on a B-24 bomber. Saturday he toured a B-29 - a plane about 2/3 larger than a B-24, he says - for the first time.

"Well it's the same setup as we had on the B-24. It's just a little different configuration," he proclaimed.

Taking flight and going to war is one of the hardest things to do. Many don't make it back home, and that's why we celebrate Memorial Day. For the ones like Schmitt who are fortunate enough to make it back, we honor them.

Throughout his tour of the Air Power Air History airshow, dozens of people stopped to thank him, hug him and take pictures with him.

"Thank God that it came out the way it did and that he allowed me to survive, but looking back I'm really proud to have served my country and did my part," Schmitt said.

Thanking the organizers, Schmitt added, "I never dreamed that I'd see one up and close and personal like that. And I really appreciate the opportunity to do that."

The airshows runs all weekend long from 9 to 5, weather permitting.

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