Drew’s High Flying Dream

What boy (or grown man for that matter) wouldn’t jump at the chance to take a ride in the mysterious Stealth B-2 Bomber? Well, unfortunately for them, military security won’t allow civilians onboard, but 17 year-old Drew experienced the next best thing over the weekend of March 18 & 19, at Whiteman Air Force Base.

Drew was referred to the Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City and dream manager Elaine Apel knew she wanted to be part of making this dream come true. Drew had a kidney transplant when he was three years old and roughly a year later, his body started rejecting it.  He’s been fighting rejection ever since. But Jennifer Greene (PR director at WAFB) and Lt. Col. Tony Monetti both made sure this resilient young man had two unbelievable days out at Whiteman.

The family lives seven hours away by car.  So, Lt. Col. Monetti arranged for a former Air Force pilot who is also a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) to pick up Drew and his parents from Garden City, KS and fly them to Knob Noster where they had clearance to actually land at Whiteman AFB.  Drew received a red carpet welcome with a number of pilots awaiting his arrival as they stood in front of their aircraft—Apache helicopter, A-10 Thunderbolt, B-2 Stealth, etc.  Drew had the opportunity to interact with the pilots throughout his visit to Whiteman. One of the biggest dream highlights for Drew was flying the B-2 bomber simulator.

The Dream Factory would like to extend a big thank you Lt. Col. Tony Monetti, Jennifer Greene and all the staff and service men and women from Whiteman Air Force Base who took part in Drew’s outstanding dream. Thanks also to the city of Warrensburg and local businesses for extending lodging, dining and travel to Drew and his family throughout the weekend.