OLATHE, Kan. -- A World War II veteran was granted a birthday wish Wednesday that he'd been dreaming about for years, a chance to fly a plane again.

John Vogl, who turned 86 on Wednesday, was an Air Force instructor during the war.

He lives in Leawood, Kan., at Sunrise Assisted Living, and when employees there found out what he wanted for his birthday, they set up the flight.

"I'd rather be flying than anything else, except eating, but when it comes to flying, eating almost loses out," Vogl said.

Pilot Mathew Brandes took Vogl up in his plane and let Vogl fly it.

"It's a great feeling to be able to share aviation, particularly with someone who has such a very historical background in aviation flying numerous airplanes," Brandes said.

The last time Vogl had flown was about 10 years earlier, but once he was up in the air Wednesday, it all came back to him.