Rocky Mountain Chapter - VHPA

The War Museum survived Armed Forces Appreciation Weekend in Cripple Creek in spite of the 35-45 degree temps, rain and nearly constant drizzle. They did manage an hour or two of sunshine w/cold winds for the Sat. parade and got in a great fly-by on Sunday.

I want to thank Sharon and Walt Winters for the help Friday in getting things set-up - they stayed all weekend and Walt worked thru to pack-up. Thanks too to Roger Patterson who arrived late Friday night and stayed over to work both days and help with the pack-up. Margaret and Eric Brettschneider worked most of Saturday with Margaret selling a few of her novels and donating a $1 each to the Museum. Also helping on Saturday or Sunday were Peter Blake (potential member), Robert Brightwell Gary Hurelle and Rick Beaver.

We all took a shift or two helping Col. McPherson (the Cripple Creek City Manager) docent his newly acquired and refurbished Mike Model gun ship. It looks to be in perfect condition down to fresh 1970’s paint job, rockets, guns and even live ammo belts for the side mounted 60’s…says he’ll fix that before next outing. Anyway, Rick talked him out of an extra jump seat and he thinks he may be able to help the Chapter get a Huey or two of our own. He too tried it the right/legal way and ended up number 1,142 on the approved list. So he had to resort to friends of friends and ended up with six - two he kept for the City and four he steered to the Carolina Chapter of VHPA… they just had to pick them up in New Mexico, which is what we would have to do as well—I told him no problem with that, so I guess we’ll have to see what happens.

I will stay in touch with him. He did ask for us to return next year when the event will be one weekend earlier - they will again pay transport costs again and help with over night rooms…(they covered the costs of 3 rooms for 2 nights and would have paid for Sunday if we had needed it. There were numerous reduced meals for veterans and tons of activities even in the crappy weather from WWII battle reenactments, Hawaiian Tropic Swim Suit models and the Marine Corps Band. 

We sold one model and raised $71.27 in donations with the fairly light but steady traffic - at least the A/C kept up.

Remember this event for next year.

Ed Fickes

Helicopter War Museum Operations Officer

Our new President, Rick Beaver, has lined up two unique events for the Chapter.

Armed Forces and Veteran’s Weekend in Cripple Creek, Colorado.

On August 16^th and 17^th, 2008 The Chapter will be displaying our Helicopter War Museum in the mountain town of Cripple Creek. Continue Reading »

DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 21, 2008

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

            President Ed Fickes called the meeting to order at 12:08 hours on the Royal Gorge Train in Canon City, Colorado.  Members and their guests were on the train for a scenic tour of the Royal Gorge.  Bill Robie arranged for the special rate and treatment and provided a history of the railroad and route along the way.

Introduction of guests.   Several wives and guests were present and were introduced by the members.

Minutes and Treasurer’s Report.  Secretary/Treasurer Jim McNamee presented the April minutes. They were approved (Motion-Jerry Marshall, Second-Phil Lanphier).  Jim also presented the May and June Treasurer’s Reports, which were approved without changes (Motion- Phil Lanphier, Second- Greg McMahon).

Helicopter War Museum (HWM) and Fundraising in Greeley on Armed Forces Day.  Ed talked about the Armed Forces Day activities held at Bittersweet Park in Greeley on May 17^th.  The event was well attended, and the BBQ raised approximately $1,800 for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Monument and the Greeley Veterans Memorial.   The Chapter did not fare as well on beer, soda, and water sales, however, netting only $63.00 after expenses, despite the fact that Coors donated the beer (thanks to Phil Lanphier’s nephew).

HWM in Thornton for July 4th Weekend.  Ed spoke about taking the HWM to Thornton for the July 4th weekend and passed around a duty roster for anyone who was not going to the San Antonio Reunion who was interested in helping.  We will be setting up the museum up on July 3rd and securing it on July 6th.  The museum will be open from July 4th through July 6th.

HWM to Cripple Creek in August.  Ed talked about our invitation to display the Helicopter War Museum during a tribute to the Armed Forces in Cripple Creek on August 16th and 17th.  The city of Cripple Creek will cover our transportation expenses up to $900.  The members agreed that we should attend the event, and Ed passed around a duty roster.  We will need help setting up the museum on August 15th and securing the museum on August 17th, and also will need docents on the 16th and 17th.   The truck driver also will need transportation from Cripple Creek to Greeley on the 15th and back to Cripple Creek on the 18th.  Either Ed or Jim will provide the rides.

Chapter Elections:  Gary Hurelle was nominated for Vice President, and Fred Lyssy was nominated for Junior Member at Large.  They are the only candidates for the positions.  Jim will send the ballots to Brian to send by e-mail to current members for confirmation of the candidates.  Ballots will be due by July 4th, and the new officers will assume their posts after the VHPA Reunion banquet.  The current Vice President, Rick Beaver, will become Chapter President at that time.

Draft Meeting Minutes June 21, 2008, continued

Future Meetings/Events.  There was discussion, in addition to the information above, about future meetings/events, as follows: 

July Meeting:  As usual, there will not be a meeting in July because of the VHPA Reunion.

July 4th weekend:  The VHPA Reunion in San Antonio and the Thornton HWM exhibit (see above).

August 16th Meeting:  The August meeting will be in Cripple Creek (see above).

September 20th Meeting:  The September meeting will be at the Fort Logan VFW Post (tentative).  (Note–Rick Beaver is working with Bill Robie on a possible event with spouses and guests in Golden.  If the event is a go, the meeting will be at 1000 hours at a location to be determined.)

Ed adjourned the meeting at 1218 hours.

Submitted by Jim McNamee

(Note for draft only.)  34 members and guests were in attendance at the meeting–Jerry and Jean Marshall, Ed Fickes and Debbie Langley and two guests, VHPA life member David and Mary Mason, Walt and Sharon Winters, Brian and Joyce Wold, Phil and Connie Lanphier, Jim and Sue McNamee and Sue’s mother, Gary and Susan Hurelle, Greg and Evelyn McMahon and three guests, Fred and Cathy Lyssy, Robert and Paula Brightwell, Dan and Ann Cook, Hal and Mrs. Bergdahl and Bill and Dianne Robie.

A group of 34 pilots, family and friends enjoyed the scenic Royal Gorge Train adventure on Saturday June 21^st. Continue Reading »

President Ed Fickes called the meeting to order at 1010 hours at the Rio Grande Restaurant in Lone Tree, Colorado. Continue Reading »

Armed Forces Day to honor area veterans

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Ed Fickes
Guest Columnist
May 14, 2008

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In 1949 President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. Continue Reading »

As is customary, the Chapter will elect a new vice president and junior member at large in June.  The new officers will take office on July 1st.  The current vice president, Rick Beaver, will become Chapter president on that date.  The newly elected vice president will become the Chapter president on July 1, 2009. Continue Reading »

If you have checked out our Webpage www.vhparmc.org.,  you know that we are planning a train ride/lunch through the Royal Gorge on Saturday, June 21.  Bill Robie has set up the following arrangements. 

     The train departs 12:30 p.m. from the downtown train depot in Canyon City. Continue Reading »

May 17 Meeting /Armed Forces Day – Will be at the Weld County Veterans Memorial (WCVM) in conjunction with Armed Forces Day. The location is 3501 16^th Street, Greeley, Colorado, 80634. We will be displaying the helicopter War Museum and the Chapter voted to accept the offer to host the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage service, which will be available at the fundraising BBQ held after the Armed Forces Day ceremonies. Our liability insurance extends to liquor liability for this event and we will have the necessary Sales tax licenses. Beer, soda and water will be sold – with a portion of our proceeds donated to the Weld County Veteran’s Memorial.

The “Order of the Purple Heart” will be dedicating a granite memorial, slightly larger than the ‘091 monument, that morning in memory of all Veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart in service to the county. The turn-out for this first ever fundraiser to benefit the WCVM should be well attended. opefully the wether will cooperate and our membersHopefully the weaa Hopefully the weather will cooperate and our members will volunteer to help run the Museum and bar service. We plan to have the Museum open from 0900 to 1600 hours. Set-up will be right before and the beverage service would begin after the ceremonies (estimated at 1100 hours) and run until 1600 hours as well. More details will be provided as they become available.

June 21 Meeting/Royal Gorge Train Ride – The Chapter has completed preliminary planning for a Royal Gorge train ride on Saturday June 21, 2008. In order to finalize the arrangements, we need to get an idea of the interest as soon as possible. You need not be a member of the Chapter—just one who flew helicopters in Vietnam during the War. Arrangements call for riding in the Vista Dome car and having a grilled sandwich luncheon choice. The rate is currently $66.20 for adults and $ 56.50 for ages 3-12. The train leaves the Canon City Depot at 1230 hours and takes approximately three hours or so. If you would like to go or have questions, contact Ed Fickes at Vietvet6922@aol.com or phone (970)352-7060.

President Ed Fickes called the meeting to order at 1000 hours at the Fort Logan VFW, Denver, Colorado. Continue Reading »