Ryan, it's all due to the perserverance and dedication of the volunteers here in Houston. It didn't hurt to have Jim Ray's expertise to lean on.
We are seeing the same kind of connection with the Viet Nam vets and the Huey as the WWII types have had with the vets of that era. Deja Vu all over again. We are flying Viet Nam Vets, their wives, kids, grandkids. you name it. The Vets want their family members to experience in a small way what they experienced so long ago.
We had a very special flight the other day in Palestine. A young man, wearing his new BDUs, his black Stetson, ( complete with gold hat band and crossed sabers ), and desert combat boots with his gold combat spurs flew with us. His name is Bryan and at last years event he was still recovering from wounds he recieved when his APC was hit. Bryan lost his right hand, had severe burns, and had to learn to walk and talk all over again. He told me that if he hadn't been blown out of an open hatch he wouldn't have been there to take his ride. What a great guy, with such a positive outlook, it was an honor to fly with him.
We call the UH-1E the little Huey that could.
