BUNKER HILL,IN – There’s a familiar sound coming from the tree tops off into the distance that is gradually approaching. Troops that were in Vietnam know it well and call it ‘The Sound of Hope’. That is the sound of a flying Huey, inbound at the speed of over 100 miles per hour to pick up Grunts “infantry soldiers” that in most cases have been on the ground for several days without food and water. Men that were injured, and tired from the fight in Vietnam heard the sound of a Huey coming and they knew it was there chance to get back to safety.
On Saturday in a small hanger on the Grissom Aeroplex generously provided by Montgomery Aviation that gives a home to the American Huey Museum. The American Huey 369 INC. began their 10th Annual Gathering of Veterans & Patriots in Peru, Indiana. As soon as I arrived at the event there were several rounds of applause as Co Founder John Walker was giving praise to many members for their amazing support and dedication to the organization. There were multiple guest speakers and awards handed out during the early part of the gathering.
The Annual Auction followed at 11 a.m. to raise funds for the not for profit organization that plans to build a new building located just East of Grissom, for a new museum and to continue there efforts of
preserving Hueys 369, 803, and 049 and the National American Huey History Museum for many years to come.
After lunch, the Air & Ground Reenactment got underway. I had a chance to talk with Allen Walker about the details of the reenactment that was about to take place. Allen explained that they had three airworthy aircraft to fly in the event. The first is a Dust Off Medical Evacuation Huey. The second is a Slick Huey that typically took troops in and out. The ‘Med Evac would pick up injured or wounded troops. The third aircraft is a Light Operation Helicopter that would fly higher to observe the location of the ground fight and provide gunfire if needed. Walker added that after the troops are dropped off there would be a ground fight with the enemy and the Med Evac would fly in to pick up the wounded then Dust Off. Then Allen said the area would the be secured again for the Slick to fly back in and pick up the troops along with their captives at the end of the reenactment. I Stood out in the grass 300 yards from the runway at Grissom and enjoyed exactly that and more as Hueys flew by a few extra times at the end for photo op’s that I happily took advantage of.
In all I believe everyone really had an excellent experience at the 10th Annual American Huey 369 Gathering of Veterans & Patriots on Saturday. There were so many friendly people and Veterans to talk wit and share stories. The food was fantastic and the Auction was a success for their cause. The artifacts inside the Museum were a sight to be seen ranging from little cans of corned beef to hand grenades and more. The Patriotic support Veterans was outstanding and as a Veteran myself I felt proud to be there with my fellow Comrades. For more information on future events, and how to become a member of American Huey 369 please visit the website, www.americanhuey369.com.