Huey
The 1H-Huey, the symbol of the Vietnam War. The Huey meant a lot of different things to the troops in Vietnam. It was used in a wide range of varying duties. One of the most note worthy jobs assigned to the Huey and it’s crew was the use as a med-a-vac. The number of casualties in Vietnam that survived was greater than in any other war, some 900,000. This can be directly contributed to the Huey. There was no sound in Vietnam that answered the call for help and was more distinct then the WHOMP, WHOMP, WHOMP sound of the Huey first heard off in the distance and becoming louder. If you had just became a victim of one of Charlie’s booby traps, caught in a burst of AK-47 fire, or riddled with shrap metal from a mortar or rocket attack, the sound of the Huey approaching was to you, the sound of life, and was greatly increasing the odds of you keeping what was left of yours. It was, music to your ears. The Huey is still a symbol, on this site however we would like the Huey to represent a gift, a gift to residents of Fremont, Custer, Pueblo and out lying counties, to the rest of Colorado and the country. This gift is from the Men and women who make up the granite memorial in our countries capital, referred to as The Wall. This is not a memorial for them, but a memorial from them. To you, Because you made the real sacrifice, Yes you, Mom, Dad, little brother, big sister, sons and daughters, grand ma and pa, family members, close friends and our brothers at arms. This is continued as a dedication speech, it is titled A GIFT FROM THE OTHER SIDE.
Cobra
The Cobra helicopter represents the enormous amount of firepower and support given to the ground troops. The Legacy and technology continue to day to support our troops. The extensive modernization is almost unbelievable, with a night targeting system it is also the only western attack helicopter with a proven air-to-air and anti-radar missile capability.
The Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter has struck fear in the hearts of the enemy for more than 30 years. Armed helicopters came into widespread use in Vietnam in the early sixties. The AH-1F Cobra, with its proven firepower and maneuverability, went on to fight in every major US military operation since Vietnam. Its main assignment was to protect. The helicopter was used for armed reconnaissance, escort missionsand assistance for ground troops. It provided cover while the wounded were loaded into transport helicopters. The helicopter continued to serve the U.S. For the next 34 years. The last AH-1 Cobra flight left from the Wheeler U.S. Army airfield in Hawaii in 1999. It was retired to make way for the Kiowa Warrior helicopter. This Magnificat piece of military air power that contributed to the support and life saving missions in Vietnam, and today in Iraq, will be displayed on a pedestal hovering above a Huey making a ground rescue, as it did so many times in Vietnam. What an awesome site, especially if you were one of the unlucky ones being loaded on to the Huey.
We presently have a Cobra being donated by the Dept. of the Army from Ft. Drum NY. Our obligation is to pay for demilitarization and transportation.