>> VIDEO | >> PODCASTS: 1 | 2 | 3 

Memories and rejuvenation are what came from getting a ride on the plane that Gordon Pinkston and Bill Wilson flew during World War II.

Pinkston, a pilot, and Wilson, a flight engineer, were both reserved and almost shy before their reintroduction Thursday to the B-24 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. The vintage WWII-era aircraft was there as part of the Wings of Freedom tour sponsored by the Collings Foundation, which had a B-17 and a B-25 ready for flight, as well.

I got an invitation for a ride and was lucky enough to get a seat on the B-17.

This editor was shaking like a kid on Christmas morning as the pilot, Mac McCauley, readied the plane for take off.

Four powerful radial engines came to life and the plane rumbled and shook as if it were anxious to be free of the ground.

Soon enough we were speeding down the runway, and gravity lost its hold on the huge craft.

Airborne at last! The hydraulic pump pushing against my left knee rattled as the landing gear were lifted up and McCauley's hands moved like lightning across instruments and controls.

Mac's feet danced on the rudder pedals, and we joined formation with the B-24 and the B-25. It was a glorious sight to see these 65-year-old airplanes dancing around each other over Lake Lewisville.

The noise from the engines was tremendous and talking was almost pointless. But I had full freedom to move about the plane and took full advantage of the opportunity.

I got to see what it was like for a bombardier, a radio operator, the top turret gunner, waist gunners and the tail gunner. It was simply amazing and humbling to think that boys as young as 19 were expected to fly these planes from England to Germany, dispose of their bombs and fly back home to safety.

In 2008, it was pure enjoyment for me. A working time machine providing the ever-cliched ride of a lifetime.

We landed with barely a whisper at Love Field, and you can be sure I was the last one off the plane.

When I met up with Pinkston and Wilson after the flight, the two were laughing and smiling like two little kids. They talked with me about their flight and how it was a much better time than those had over Europe. But their smiles were wide as they took quick last looks back at the B-24.

I shook their hands and walked with them around the tarmac, listening to the engines cool down and the crews unload cargo. There were no sighs coming from these two veterans. Only silence, as if they were taking comfort from being close to the machine that took them into danger and brought them back home.

I was bouncing around like a puppy, giddy almost. I will never forget my ride in that B-17, as I'm sure those two veterans won't either.

"One more mission done," Bill Wilson said. "One more mission."