Jul 22 2010
This might bring back a lot of memories.
This is an Army made promo for the Warrant Officer Candidate course at Wolters and Rucker. It was made during class 66-11. Might be worth sharing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7IX0lRRGCc&feature=player_embedded
Rick Beaver
303 886-9243
Rocky Mountain Chapter, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Jul 14 2010
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
19 JUNE 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Gary Hurelle called the meeting to order at 10:35 am at The Blue Canyon Grill on 13th and Washington Streets in Golden, Colorado.
Members Present: Gary Hurelle, Ed Fickes, Bill Robie, Fred Lyssy, Jerry Marshall, Rick Beaver, John Hargleroad, Hal Bergdahl, Pat Mahany, and Jim McNamee.
The minutes of the May meeting, prepared by Ed Fickes, were approved (Rick Beaver moved, Pat Mahany seconded). The Treasurer’s Report for June was approved (Rick Beaver moved, Pat Mahany seconded).
Helicopter War Museum (HWM): The members discussed the cockpit display build progress. Jerry Marshall, Rick Beaver, Bill Robie and Hal Bergdahl have made significant progress. Most of the members present met at the trailer after the meeting to work on the display while Rick and helpers (mostly Gary) replaced a defective ceiling fan.
Bill mentioned that Golden resident Chip Parfet donated the trailer parking spot, with a power source, to the Chapter indefinitely. The spot is paved with crushed asphalt and is somewhat hidden from the road.
Missing museum instruments: Bill Robie mentioned that we still need the following instruments for the display:
Vertical velocity indicator
Radial compass
Torque meter
If any members have any of these instruments that they would be willing to loan or donate to the museum, or if they know where we can get any of them, please get in touch with Bill.
Sea to Shining Sea Bike Tour: Gary mentioned the tour, which was a tribute to veterans sponsored by State Farm Insurance. He and his wife went to Lone Tree with a chapter banner to greet the riders, and talked with several of them,
Chapter Officer Elections: Gary named the nominees (Walt Wise-President, Phil Lanphier-Vice President, and Jim McNamee-Secretary Treasurer) and asked if there were any other nominees. There weren’t, and Ed Fickes moved to close the nominations. Jerry Marshall seconded. Bill Robie moved to elect all of the nominees, and the motion carried unanimously. The new officers will assume their posts after the VHPA Reunion Banquet.
Annual Dues: Gary mentioned that we are still collecting dues for 2010 ($20). Jim stated that all members present were dues current.
Welcome Home Wristbands: Ed gave Jim proceeds from wristband sales and also said that he was going to send some to the VHPA Reunion for sale in the CNC Officer’s Club. Bill is driving to
the reunion, so he volunteered to take the wristbands. He also is taking the chapter banner for display. (Note—Gary built a detachable frame for the banner, which Bill also will take.)
Draft meeting minutes, 19 June 2010 (continued)
August BBQ: The members discussed the Chapter BBQ slated for August 14th at the Leprino Aviation Hanger at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. The BBQ is going to be prepared by member Don Rice (if his flying schedule permits) and is for chapter members and also guests from other helicopter flight crew organizations. Greg Mann drafted an invitation for the guests, and Rick Beaver also is going to contact potential guests. Crew member organizations will be contacted as well as pilot organizations.
Ed Fickes volunteered to take charge of the BBQ planning. To reiterate previous decisions, the members decided that chapter members will be charged a nominal fee to help cover expenses, and that any excess expenses would be paid for out of the General Fund. The BBQ will be free for guests from other organizations. Details will follow.
Past Presidents Meeting With New Officers: Gary mentioned that he is going to continue a “tradition” started by Rick Beaver last year and have a meeting for new officers to discuss ideas and procedures with the new officers. He will try to have it before the August BBQ.
Clothing Sales: Jim mentioned that he had ordered clothing and hats from River Graphics, and that they would be available before the reunion.
Model Sales: Bill mentioned that we no longer have a supplier for the wooden models that we have been selling to raise money for the museum. He and Ed have several models left in inventory, and he asked the members if we should sell them at a discount or leave them at full price for now. The members decided to leave them at full price until at least Christmas. Bill will publish a new inventory. Members are encouraged to try to sell them and to think of sales venues.
Helicopter War Museum Venues: Bill mentioned that we don’t have any venues set up for the museum this year. Jerry said that the cockpit display should be ready by August 1st, so we could display the museum after that. There was a discussion about possible venues, and suggestions were to look at the Traveling Wall schedule, look for open houses at airports, look at VFW and American Legion events, and contact schools to gauge interest. Ed Fickes, the museum Operations Officer, volunteered to try to research venues. John Hargleroad also volunteered to research American Legion/VFW opportunities.
Next Meeting: As usual, there will not be a meeting in July. The next meeting will be the BBQ on August 14th. Details will follow.
Gary adjourned the meeting at 12:05
Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer
May 23 2010
The Helicopter War Museum visits Mullen High School in Denver, and gets a mention in the Denver Catholic Register:
The day consisted of students taking a tour of a mobile war exhibit brought in by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association; attending a talk in which they heard veterans tell their stories of time in the military as well as comments from the widow of a Mullen alumnus who was killed in Vietnam. The day concluded with formal recognition of veterans at that night’s football game.
May 16 2010
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
May 15, 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Gary Hurelle called the meeting to order at 1015 at American Legion Post Number 1. Present were Hal Bergdahl, Rick Beaver, Walt Wise, John Hargleroad, Brian Wold, Greg Mann, Robert Brightwell, Fred Lyssy, Brian Foote and yours truly Ed Fickes, who acted as secretary. Brightwell paid or repaid his 2010 dues, which Fickes will deposit on Monday.
Apr 29 2010
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
17 APRIL 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Gary Hurelle called the meeting to order at 10:35 am at The Blue Canyon Grill on 13th and Washington Streets in Golden, Colorado.
Members Present: Gary Hurelle, Walt Wise, Ed Fickes, Bill Robie, Bill McPherson, John Grauff, John Hargleroad, Rick Beaver, Brian Wold, Hal Bergdahl, Phil Lanphier, Greg Mann and Jim McNamee.
Introductions: Because we had a new member (Bill McPherson from Cripple Creek) in attendance, Gary asked everyone to introduce themselves and state their Vietnam tour details.
The minutes of the March meeting, prepared by Ed Fickes, were approved (Walt Wise moved, Rick Beaver seconded). The Treasurer’s Report for April was approved (Ed Fickes moved, Rick Beaver seconded).
Apr 22 2010
If any of you will be visiting the western slope (Grand Junction,
Colorado), be sure to check out the Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial Park while there. http://www.field-of-dreams.org/
Mar 26 2010
MEETING MINUTES
March 20, 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Gary Hurelle called the meeting to order at 1015 at American Legion Post Number 1. Present were Hal Bergdahl, Rick Beaver, Doug Neil, Bill Robie, Walt Wise, John Hargleroad, Jerry Marshall, Greg Mann, Phil Lanphier, John Grauff, Mike Law and yours truly Ed Fickes, who acted as secretary.
Minutes and Treasurer’s Report. February meeting minutes were approved (with the correction that Walt Wise is Vice President). In the absence of Treasurer, Jim McNamee, both the February and March Treasurer’s reports where approved as submitted by Jim in advance of the meeting. Dues of $20 were collected from Greg Mann and will be deposited by Fickes.
Business and Committee Reports:
● Rick Beaver reported on last week’s meeting of the Museum Improvement Committee and outlined the phases of construction and installation of the pilot’s and mock cockpit, cabinets and jump seat – after much discussion and input, all were asked to watch the yahoo site for information concerning needs and wants as the plans develop.
●Walt Wise gave an update on the fact that the new healthcare bill should not affect those on Tri-care also reminded all that if they do not have a VA Service agent working on their behalf – they should get one soon.
●Ed Fickes reported on the summer “Open House BBQ” and it was decided to give Don Rice August 14th and 21st as possible dates for the picnic at Leprino’s Hanger at Jeffco/Metro Airport. Once Don has selected best date for him – plans will be developed as to how best invite others associated with [‘Combat’, ‘Helicopter’, ‘Service’]. Mann volunteered to handle this task and it will include an RSVP requirement, as well as a limit on number of guests/kids that non-members can bring (limited by totals we can serve and feed – to be set by Don Rice). Hopefully the Museum improvements will be well along and it can be setup at Leprino’s. Depending on availability – we may or not have flying or static display helicopters available. We would hope to obtain the RSVPs and charge only members and accept donations from other attendees.
●Ed Fickes also reported about feedback from Bill McPherson in Cripple Creek concerning this year’s event and possibility of getting some floor cleats for future jump seat installation in the Museum. Bill’s response to Fickes’ inquiry was that those recently elected in Cripple Creek were no longer veteran friendly and were going to hold a motorcycle rally instead. McPherson has resigned as City Manager, but is still in possession of his UH-1M. He has offered, and members voted to accept, his donation of his personal pilot’s seat for use in the Museum – members also voted to hold the April 17th meeting in Golden (most likely at the Buffalo Rose – Robie will confirm) to accept delivery from Bill at the Museum. Members authorized Fickes to purchase 2 bottles of single malt scotch for the presentation – one for Bill and one to share.
●Ed Fickes reminded all of the “Honor Flight – Welcome Home” the chapter will host at Signature Flight Hanger on Saturday April 24th –expected time is 2000hrs, details will follow. Members authorized the purchase of water, cookies, etc for this event. Also the Evans, CO VFW will hold a benefit all you can eat breakfast to benefit the Honor Flight on Sunday March 28th -0830-1100 – Presentation of plaque to Bill Brewster, who has hauled the Museum to venues for the past 5-6 years, will be made – more info to follow.
●Gary Hurelle reminded of elections at the June meeting, which resulted in tendering of several nominations: Phil Lanphier/President and Walt Wise/VP- more nominations welcomed at future meetings. ●Meeting was adjourned at 1145.
Respectfully submitted,
Ed Fickes, Acting Secretary
Feb 23 2010
A meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 11, for any and all those interested in the next round of enhancements to the RMC-VHPA Helicopter War Museum. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am, at an office building in Golden at 1600 Jackson Street, Suite 160. This location is just a few blocks south of downtown Golden, on Jackson Street (one-way south out of town) across from the Burger King.
Focus of the meeting will be on designing and building the Huey interactive ½ cockpit, but will also include discussion about other improvements that can be made to freshen up the exhibits and display surfaces.
For the Huey ½ cockpit, we already have an armored seat, collective, cyclic, pedals, and instrument panel. Beaver is working to complete a repair detail on the collective and has replaced the webbing on the seat frame. Robie repaired the broken cyclic grip. Bergdahl donated an altimeter and a turn-and-slip gauge for the instrument panel. We hope to have the simulated cockpit ready for the first setup location this summer and expect the kids especially to enjoy the moveable controls. It will be a great way to explain what its like to control a helicopter in flight. We’ll need a helmet with inside padding to fit small heads. Future additions to the cockpit could include the center consol, the overhead switch control panel, the rear troop seat from in front of the transmission bulkhead, start-up and in-flight sound, recorded CA radio chatter for the helmet earphones, front video panel to show VN action shot thru the front window, and maybe even a section of the nose fuselage and roof.
Please join in. Many hands make light work, and more ideas will make a better display.
The meeting will adjourn to the Blue Canyon Grill around noon for burgers and beer. We may even head on over to the museum trailer (in Golden) after eating to check things out.
Bill Robie
Feb 21 2010
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
February 20, 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Elect Walt Wise called the meeting to order at 1010 at American Legion Post Number 1. Present were Hal Bergdahl, Rick Beaver, Doug Niel, Bill Robie, Bob Simms, John Hargleroad and yours truly Ed Fickes, who acted as secretary.
Minutes and Treasurer’s Report. January meeting minutes were approved as posted on the website. In the absence of Tres – Jim McNamee, there was no Treasurer’s report. Dues of $20 were collected from Hal Bergdahl…Rick Beaver purchased a VHPA polo shirt of $18 and made a $2.00 donation and $2.00 in ‘welcome home’ bracelet sales at Legion Post #1 were accounted for and will be deposited by Ed Fickes next week along with a check for at model sale at the Greeley Airport.
Walt reminded all that if they do not have a VA Service agent working on their behalf – they should get one soon…also that he expect the government to be looking at VA and retired military benefits and healthcare as a way to make their programs work.
A long discussion was had on membership – more directly new/renewed membership and how we can continue to grow. The thought being we could become more inclusive and not limited as currently to VN pilot’s and crewmembers. The general consensus was that we should hold a summer “Open House”, BBQ if you will and invite all those associated with [‘Combat’, ‘Helicopter’, ‘Service’], hereafter called the “Associated Group’…It was suggested that Contact be made to Don Rice as to the date and availability of the Leprino Hanger for this. (Ed Fickes will contact Don). Once a date has been set and selected – invites will be made to all members of organizations and individuals, who would qualify to become part of the “Associated Group” and their spouses. We would hope to obtain RSVP’s for such an event and charge only members and accept donations from other attendees.
Helicopter War Museum Committee. Robie reminded all that the HWM improvement committee is scheduled to meet March 11th in Golden…notice to be sent out via yahoo group.
Bill Robie updated on the status of the future of ‘Model Sales’, as a source of fund raising…with the new ownership of the model distributorship the costs of model to us may become prohibited and/or we may be able to pre-purchase ‘lots’ of models, say 25 – 50 at a cost allowing us to resell at a respectable profit.
Mention was made of the expense of certain events at the upcoming 2010 VHPA Reunion in San Diego – regardless a show of hands indicated 7 of the 8 members present plan to attend.
The March 20th meeting will be held at the American Legion Post #1 at I-25 & Yale.
The meeting was adjourned at 1115.
Respectfully submitted,
Ed Fickes, Acting Secretary
Jan 28 2010
MEETING MINUTES
16 JANUARY 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Gary Hurelle called the meeting to order at 10:00 am at American Legion Post No.1. Continue Reading »