COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) -On Veterans Day, retired Army pilot Jim Hamilton took to the skies one last time in a ceremonial “Fini Flight,” honoring his decades of service and lifelong passion for aviation.

Hamilton, who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany, flew the Cessna L-19 Bird Dog from 1949 to 1958. On Monday, he climbed back into the cockpit of the same aircraft model that launched his aviation career more than 70 years ago.

“This was the foundation of my aviation career,” Hamilton said, reflecting on his time in the military. “It’s the best airplane I’ve ever flown. We have a special love affair because it gave me an opportunity to be in the airplane business that I couldn’t afford to do. The Army put me on trail for a wonderful career.”

The flig

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