Today's Article

“It's 2pure joy. I love being here and I'm so happy for dad.”

and friends.

“This is a great 3occasion for me.” 

One hundred-year-old Uncle John Hartness…

“Feels 4absolutely fantastic. I feel like I'm about 35.”

is 5celebrating his birthday, flying. 

“Not a single thing I'd love to be doing.”

Hartness started 6volunteering at Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff 7several years ago. 

“John's 100 years old, and he's still out here six, seven days a week, 8contributing, 9mentoring people, volunteering…” 

Helping 10spread the 11nonprofit’s 12mission to 13ignite and 14expand a passion for 15aviation. 

“He is not only a positive man, a great 16spirit 17to be around, but he is also our 18ambassador.”

Uncle John started flying when he was just 16 years old and says there's nothing quite like the feeling of being up in the air. 

“Flying is the best feeling of freedom you can have to get up there and be in the air with nobody but me and God.”

19On board the Triple Tree Aerodrome Aircam, Uncle John had that feeling for ten minutes on his 100th birthday. 

“His mother lived to be a hundred, and she 20continued playing the piano and doing other things after her hundredth birthday. So, flying has always been Dad's music, so this is 21a dream come true.”