{"id":40727,"date":"2018-03-21T18:13:37","date_gmt":"2018-03-21T18:13:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/03\/21\/dedication-ceremony-set-for-monument-honoring-vietnam-helicopter-pilots-crews\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:09:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:09:09","slug":"dedication-ceremony-set-for-monument-honoring-vietnam-helicopter-pilots-crews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/2018\/03\/21\/dedication-ceremony-set-for-monument-honoring-vietnam-helicopter-pilots-crews\/","title":{"rendered":"Dedication ceremony set for monument honoring Vietnam helicopter pilots, crews"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Those who wish to honor the helicopter pilots and crew members killed in Vietnam<\/a> can do so on April 18 at Arlington National Cemetery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After four years, these service members<\/a> will have their own monument at the Virginia cemetery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association<\/a> spearheaded the effort, working with Arlington National Cemetery and Congress to get the monument approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, the cemetery<\/a> was hesitant because of the ever-shrinking space for grave sites, but supporters of the monument wrote to Congress and gained attention. Eventually, a compromise was made, and the cemetery approved the monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and Crewmember Monument will be placed in Section 35 along Memorial Drive, not far from the Tomb of the Unknowns. It honors the nearly 5,000 helicopter pilots and crew members who were killed during the Vietnam War<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The war was known as the \u201chelicopter war\u201d because the United States relied heavily on the aircraft to transport troops and provide close-air support.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dedication on April 18 at 4 p.m. Eastern time is open to anyone who wants to attend and will feature Vietnam veterans along with Gold Star families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event highlights include speeches, a wreath laying and a flyover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Retired Lt. Col. Forrest \u201cFrosty\u201d Price, a Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association member, stands with the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and Crewmember Monument. (Courtesy photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Bob Hesselbein, who flew AH-1 Cobra gunships in Vietnam, said there should be a balance in Arlington National Cemetery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think the American people expect Arlington to be a combination of grave sites and memorials such as this,\u201d Hesselbein told Army Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\t