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Two warplanes send front line workers a message of gratitude from a high altitude

Operation Thanks from Above
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Two airplanes and 17 air crew members from the National Warplane museum in Geneseo successfully completed Operation Thanks from Above, a mission of gratitude from a high altitude.

“It’s a once in a lifetime chance, and it's such an honor to know that people are out there that care,” said June Queeno, a switch board operator at Buffalo General.

“Whiskey 7,” a Douglas C-47 World War II plane and “Mad Max,” a P-51 mustang, flew 600 nautical miles to thank all of the front lines worker on the ground.

“It’s special. It's like saying thank you and letting people know that you appreciate everything they do. It makes it all worth it,” Queeno said.

The flyover brought people together even though they may have had to stay 6 feet apart.

“We've looked forward to it for a few days. That's why we made plans to come over here today,” said David Sciara, a Vietnam War veteran and volunteer at the Buffalo VA.

He hasn't been able to volunteer since New York went on PAUSE. He said he misses his fellow veterans inside, but the flyover made him feel close to what he holds dear.

“The flyover gave me a real sense of patriotism,” Sciara said.

“I mean he said it all. It made him feel good to be back at his va that he loves,” said Pamela Kaznowski, the Recreation Therapy Supervisor at the Buffalo VA.

She said the flyover lifted everyone’s spirits whether you are a front line worker or not.

“It was a huge morale booster just to come together to do something that's so extraordinary… to see a World War II plane today. It was just magnificent,” Kaznowski said.