Huey Helicopter Unveiled and Hornets Reunite at NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Remembrance Day Ceremony

HOLMDEL, N.J. - Feb. 28, 2014 - PRLog -- The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation will hold its annual New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day ceremony on Wednesday, May 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center, 1 Memorial Lane, Holmdel, NJ

May 7th was created by legislation in 1991 as a unique day in New Jersey to honor all those who served in the military during the Vietnam Era from 1959 to 1975.  More than 200,000 New Jersey residents served in the armed forces during that time.

As part of this year’s ceremony, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation (NJVVMF) will unveil its newly restored Huey Helicopter. Along with the Memorial and Museum, the Huey will serve as a lasting tribute to those who served our country and help to validate the Foundation’s mission to leave a legacy to future generations. The 116th Assault Helicopter Company (Hornets) who served in Vietnam will be reuniting at the Ceremony.

Although the Huey will never actually be able to fly again, it will come to life at the Remembrance Day Ceremony when it “lands” at the center of the newly constructed Huey Plaza at the entrance to the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center where the Vietnam Veteran tour guides will share their stories through guided tours.

In February 2013, a group of veteran volunteers, many of them Vietnam Era helicopter pilots and maintenance technicians, began the restoration of a 1964 Bell UH-1D Huey helicopter.

The Huey aircraft served two tours in Vietnam, the first with the 116th Assault Helicopter Company in Cu Chi and the second with the 118th Assault Helicopter Company in Bien Hoa. After the War, the helicopter flew with the Army's 10th Mountain Division. The aircraft has been retired for more than 20 years with the New Jersey Army National Guard before members of the Guard transported it to a hangar at Monmouth Executive Airport in Wall, NJ for restoration last year.

This has been a personal project for Vietnam Veterans Ken Gurbisz and Carl Burns, who flew Hueys. It is also a labor of love for the Foundation’s Executive Director, Bill Linderman, who served with the 148th Ordnance Company.

“Most who served in the Vietnam War have an attachment to the helicopter,” said Linderman. “It was their duty, their rescue, the center of their lives in combat.  When they see the Huey it all comes rushing back, the history, the feelings.”

Hornets Company member Barry Breyer is looking forward to reuniting with his crew. “It’s a real homecoming for me personally,” said Breyer, who will make the trip up with more than 20 Veterans from his Company for the ceremony. Breyer feels the Huey is more than our helicopter. “It’s such a symbol to all the guys over there. The most wonderful sound in the world is those rotor blades. We were the cavalry. Guys would say, ‘Ok, good, the Hornet’s coming.’ We never said it’s too dangerous. We took great pride in that.”

About The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation offers a meaningful and engaging experience that recognizes the sacrifice, courage and valor of Vietnam Veterans and encourages and fosters a thorough understanding of the Vietnam Era including the political, historical, social, cultural and military aspects, which affected the United States, and especially New Jersey. To support the Foundation, visit our website – www.njvvmf.org