South Lake Tahoe WWII veteran rides in B-17 again after 75 years

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Danny Francisco was still in high school when he enlisted to serve his country, and just days after graduation he was on his way to train.

The 95-year-old Army Air Corps veteran was given a chance to fly again in a B-17, 75 years after his last flight.

Phil Ward of South Lake Tahoe was delivering meals to local senior citizens when he met Danny and heard his story. Phil's son Eric created the video in this story which features an interview and flight.

Danny, who has lived in South Lake Tahoe for 40 years, flew 50 missions as a tail-gunner in a B-17 during the years of 1944-1945 at the age of 18 years old. His plane was called ‘The Silver Dollar’ and was based out of Foggia, Italy during the war.

"We decided to get him into a B-17 again after 75 years and film the experience," said Eric.

"The message of this video is to understand that there are heroes around us every day - our veterans. They live in our communities and have stories as deep as this. If some of our younger generations could slow down and find the time to talk and listen to our senior citizens, veterans or not, our country might be a bit more understanding and grateful," added Eric, a 2012 Whittell High graduate and 2015 graduate from Chapman University's renowned film school.