World War II veterans say these are rare treasures in aviation history.

Local war Veterans welcomed World War II vintage bomber and fighter planes as they flew over the Central Texas skies Monday.

World War II veterans say these rare treasures in aviation history remind them of the service of those who served before them.

A few World War II vintage fighter planes are still around, but those who flew them are becoming fewer and fewer.

News 8 talked with veterans who say seeing rare treasures fly into town helps keep the memory of the World War II veterans alive.

The B-17, B-24, and P-51 are just a few of the names of fighter planes.

"I'm old enough to see them when they were built," Korean War veteran Albert Bunnell said.

But he was not old enough to fly one. Bunnell said those World War II veterans who did fly fighter planes are ones for the history books.

	A P-51C, circa 1944.

"They're all heroes today, anybody that flew one of them is a hero today," he said.

And to see them fly in and land at the Draughon-Miller Airport in Temple was a once-in-a-lifetime event for some.

"It brings back memories to any veteran," Bunnell said.

He knows he's lucky to see the Wings of Freedom Tour.

"I'm getting up there," Bunnell laughed. "You never know how much time you've got left."

		WATCH THE VIDEO
	Flying through history World War II veterans talk about the rare war fighter planes.

Veteran Ronald Dean, who served in the military from 1954-1958, says his late brother, who flew a B-24 says seeing vintage fighter pilots are rare these days.

"He was telling me that all these guys his age, that flew these, are dying out now," Dean said.

So he feels lucky to see what he only heard about over the years.

	Web Extras
• Find out more information about the Wings of Freedom, including the tour schedule. • Learn more about the Collings Foundation. Related News Articles: • World War II Veterans are dying at rate of more than 1,000 per day, numbers dwindling, FoxNews - May 24, 2008. • The ‘Greatest Generation’ and their aircraft, Tucson Citizen - March 22, 2009.

"He said when they were coming in from a mission these things had 50 caliber guns on each side," Dean said.

As they checked out the bombers, they say one thing came to mind, whether you served in World War II or not.

"It's an honor to be a veteran," Bunnell said.

You can check out the planes at the Draughon-Miller Airport in Temple, through Wednesday. You can even take a flight, though it will cost you.

	Freedom Tour Information
The Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom Tour offered the information below: Visitors can explore the aircraft inside and out for $12, $6 for children. 30-minute flights are tax-deductable donations. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. Fifteen-minute flights in the Huey helicopter are $160 for the front seat and $110 for the rear seats. For reservations and information on flight experiences call 1-800-568-8924. WHERE: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR will be on display at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport in Temple located at Main Terminal Ramp 7720-F Airport Road. WHEN: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR will arrive at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport at 2:00 PM on March 23 and will be on display at Main Terminal Ramp at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport until the aircraft departs March 25 at 12 p.m. Hours of ground tours and display are: 2 p.m. through 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23; 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24; 9 a.m. through 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.