As soon as Staff Sgt. Cayle Fidel looked into the cockpit of the Super Blanik glider, he wanted to fly.

"I am so sold on this!" exclaimed the Oregon Guardsman as he walked around the aircraft.

Wounded serving in Iraq, Fidel is currently assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion.

"I am so hoping to win a ride in this; that would be so cool," he said.

Winning a glider flight ride was part of the second annual Alaska Seafood Buffet June 18 at the Olympia Regional Airport.

The event coincided with the annual Olympic Air Show and was hosted by Alaskan and Northwest fishing communities, the Washington State Patrol, the Civil Air Patrol and numerous local businesses.

"Many of the fishermen, their families, air show pilots and volunteers who participated in last year's Wounded Warriors event are again on hand to help in honoring our country's heroes," said Mark Kandianis, a spokesperson for the Kodiak Fish Company.

The 500 plus soldiers, family members, friends and WTB staff members who attended the event were treated to fly-bys of World War II aircraft, static displays and copious amounts of seafood.

"This is really a great event," said Lt. Col. Daniel Dudek, WTB commander.

"I think it is wonderful that these organizations have come together to give our wounded warriors this opportunity to get out and enjoy a preview to tomorrow's air show."

And for six lucky soldiers, they won a 20 to 30 minute flight in a glider.

The idea for the flight originated with the Washington Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.  An auxiliary of the Air Force, its focus is on providing search and rescue services and on igniting an interest in youth for aviation.

"Today will be a lot of fun for these soldiers," commented Army Reserve Col. David Thomas, a glider pilot and instructor with the CAP.

"This is one way we can honor their service."

For Sgt. Donald Zeitler, a veteran of two tours to Iraq and a member of the Washington Army National Guard's 81st Infantry Brigade, the idea of flying without an engine to maintain lift was a bit overwhelming.

"I am a bit nervous, but I am also excited to do this," he said.  "I called my sister to brag about this."

CAP Capt. Mark Greenman, a glider pilot and instructor, gave Zeitler and the other winners of a flight a thorough briefing as to what to expect.

"It will take us about eight minutes to reach 3,000 feet," said Greenman as Michael Gilbreath, another glider pilot, strapped Zeitler into the cockpit.

"Once we reach about 65 knots, I release the tow line and we will glide for 20 to 30 minutes."

Weighing about 1,200 pounds and with a wingspan of 55 feet, a glider has small nose and tail wheels that allow for take off and landing.

As Greenman and Zeitler prepared for their flight, CAP Maj. Harlan Zentner climbed into a Cessna 182 and started its engine.

Within moments, a 250-foot towline was connected to the tail of the plane and the nose of the glider. CAP cadets - one on each wing tip - guided the glider out as the Cessna taxied out onto the runway.

As the Cessna took off down the runway, the glider lifted off.  Soon, both craft were dots in the sky.

"It is really great that the Civil Air Patrol did this for us," said Pfc. Cody Colin, a 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division soldier recovering from his injuries, as he waited for his flight.  "Really great."