Johnston's Orlando Ricci, who will soon turn 102 years young, hasn't been on an airplane since the end of World War II. This weekend, he'll take a trip of a lifetime with the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

During World War II, Ricci was stationed in England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. He served on the front lines for three years with the Army’s 67th Battalion as part of the signal corps. Four of his brothers also enlisted in the fight, one did not return home.

“I went through it, but I don’t think I’d want to go through it again,” said Ricci.

On Monday, Ricci was visited by retired Providence Fire Chief George Farrell and retired Warwick Assistant Chief Steve Hay of the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs (RIAFC). Their organization flies veterans to the capital on an expense paid trip to see national monuments honoring their service.

On Saturday after months of planning, the organization will take 24 veterans – 23 who served in World War II and one Korean War veteran – and their guardians on a commercial flight for an itinerary filled day in Washington. Their sightseeing stops will include the World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials, along with a stop at Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard ceremony before flying home.

The flight is sponsored by Lepre Physical Therapy in North Providence, which held three golf tournaments to raise about $11,000 to help pay for the veterans’ trip. Ricci’s application for the flight, researched and completed by his family, was received by RIAFC last week. A flight participant recently had to drop out, and that spot was given to Ricci and his daughter who will be his guardian.

Farrell and Hay met with Dennis Ricci and Elizabeth Souza, Orlando’s children, at his home to inform them what to expect. During an hour-long visit, they explained how they’ve conducted 14 such flights and have contingencies for contingencies to ensure that all of Ricci’s needs will be met, from food, transportation with police escorts, safety, personal and medical needs along with access to wheelchairs should they be required.

“He’s going to be the one who pushes me,” joked Elizabeth.

“He’s on his second one hundred years, he’s got 98 more years to go,” said Dennis.

Ricci, who was excited for the adventure ahead, said that the last time he flew was on a cargo plane from Germany to France during his service. Though he’ll be the oldest person on the Honor Flight, he believes this trip will be more comfortable than his last.

“There were no chairs then, I sat on a piece of lumber,” he said. “It seems like we’re going to be in good hands.”