Warren “Roy” Dorfler
A.K.A. My Grandpa, Peepaw
WWII Veteran
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Baltimore — The Movie “Memphis Belle”, a restored WWII B-17 “flying fortress” bomber and Rare Curtiss P-40 Warhawk took to the skies over Baltimore on their first national tour Monday.
“I’m glad they’re still flying,” Warren Dorfler said. “I was hoping they’d keep them going so that the present generation could see what we were in.”
Dorfler, an Army Air Force veteran of World War II, flew in the B-17 for the first time “since May 8, 1945,” as he recalls.
The aircraft will be open to the public and available for flights. The flights as well as ground tours will be available August 18-19. In addition, two local WWII B-17 veterans will be on site as well to greet and speak with guests.
The flights cost $450 for 45 minutes. The money is critical to keeping the aircraft flying.
“Keeping this out on tour in a year for a full year, we’ll probably spend a million dollar or a little more keeping it out on tour,” Keith Youngblood of The Liberty Foundation said. “So, it’s a pretty pricey endeavor.”
The B-17 costs between $3,000-$4,000 per hour to maintain. It burns 200 gallons of gas per hour.
“It’s not so much about the plane, it’s about the 10 guys who flew in the plane, so that’s what we try to keep alive,” Youngblood said.
The goal of The Liberty Foundation is to educate individuals about the WWII aircrafts as well as the veterans.
Free ground tours of the aircraft will be available at Martin State Airport in the afternoon.
Monday, August 13 2012, 10:30 PM EDT
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http://www.foxbaltimore.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wbff_vid_14695.shtml
GRANDPA & GRANDMA’S 90th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
THE DORFLER BOYS: Ron (Dad), Roy (Grandpa), Tom (Uncle) & Mike(me)
I Love You Grandpa! You are an Awesome Inspiration and Encouragement to all of us on how to live our lives. Your Christian Walk, Marriage, Your Great Attitude, and Your Incredible Charm is something we will forever try to emulate. Thank You for such an incredible example you have set for all of us to live by. We Love You! – Mike & Jodi