'Even At 102 I Can Still Do Big Things': Local Veteran's Dream Of Riding Hot Air Balloon Comes True

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A 102-year-old local veteran and hospice care patient just had a wild ride -- a hot air balloon ride, that is.

Russel is a patient at Three Rivers Hospice and a U.S. Air Force Recruiting Veteran.

He's always dreamed of flying in a hot air balloon, and Don't Stop Dreaming', a Western Pennsylvania-based organization that fulfills the wishes of Quality Life Services and hospice patients turned Russel's dream into a reality.

On Facebook, the organization said they found a balloon ride with a handicap accessible basket, allowing Russel to take to the air early Thursday morning.

The organization says Russel told them, "I don't know why I was chosen. I'm not a celebrity and it's not my birthday."

"Even at 102 I can still do big things, I knew I could do it and it was wonderful."