Special Invitation!

You Are Invited

Please join your fellow Vietnam Helicopter war veterans for a “Reunion” in celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the beginning of that War.  This event is open to all service members who participated as helicopter crewmen or supported helicopter operations during the war.   The event is being organized and sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.  The Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) and the Vietnam War Museum are cosponsoring it.

Date – Time – Events

The event will be held on Saturday, October 8^th at the DoubleTree Hotel at 3203 Quebec St. in Denver (near the former Stapelton Airport).  The Hotel will serve as the central location – we will be offering a Hospitality Suite to get together for morning coffee and provide a “hang-out” at which to relax that will be open all day long.  The events will be a morning coffee to assemble, attend self-directed events during the day, and reassemble for dinner and a program in the evening.  More on the events and program below.

Hotel Reservations

The DoubleTree is offering a special event pricing for rooms.  Their Deluxe Room is $89 plus tax.  You must deal directly with the DoubleTree by individually calling303-321-3333 or 1-800-222-
TREE (8733).  Please ask for the Helicopter Pilots Reunion room block.  You may also register online at the following web address:  http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/R/RLDV-DT-CVN-20111006/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Please note that the deadline for hotel room registration is Sept 7, 2011 to obtain that special rate.  If requesting a room after 9/7/2011, rooms will be on “as available” basis.

How Do I Register for the Reunion?  (and when?)

To register for the reunion, you simply fill in and tear off the form at the bottom of the next page mailing it to Fred Lyssy, 2045 Newcombe Dr., Lakewood, CO 80215.  Phone number is 303-232-2152 or 303-748-5110 (cell).  A check must accompany the registration form.  Please mark meal choice.   The registration deadline is September 23rd!

Schedule of Events – Program

The day’s events will be as follow:

10-11 am    Welcome coffee at the Hospitality Suite (DoubleTree)

11 am – Attend any venues of your choice (per your schedule) including:

View current Army helicopters at Buckley (Black Hawk, Apache, Kiowa, Lakota).  These will be available from 11:30 to 3pm.

Denver Museum of Natural History, Art Museum, Wings Over the Rockies, Botanical Gardens, Capitol Building, etc.  (See the venues web site for hours.)

Lunch – On your Own!  Lots of restaurants nearby.

Shopping at Northfield (Bass Pro Shop, Macy’s, many others)

2 pm – Ladies Tea at the Brown Palace ($39). We encourage car-pooling.

2-5 pm – Tour the Chapter’s own Helicopter War Museum (in the Hotel parking lot).

5pm – Hospitality Suite – Refreshments

7 pm  – Dinner.  Speaker will be Army Aviator Robert Stewart, former astronaut, who will be talking to us about his Army Aviation experiences before NASA.  Also, brief remarks will be offered regarding our service in Vietnam many years ago.

DETAILS !!!!

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of VHPA website (www.vhparmc.org) will have more detail as developed.  This event is primarily to allow us to celebrate and see friends again.  Please bring your pals and wives along – they will probably either know someone there or at least meet them and develop those common bonds that our helicopter brotherhood has developed.

Important — We would like you to send electronically, ten of your personal photos of Vietnam.  If possible, make five of them about helicopters, 2-3 about you, and 2-3 about Vietnam in general.  We will try to flash them on a screen during dinner.  Our hope is to have a couple of hundred of slides.  E-mail them to g_e_mann@yahoo.com.

If going onto the base at Buckley, please be sure to get the info to Fred Lyssy so that the pre-clearance paperwork can be submitted.  They will allow active or retired military ID holders onto the base if they are in the DBIDS data base.  Otherwise, you must be pre-cleared.  We are going to ask for folks to carpool to get onto the base.  The visit to the Army National Guard facility will be great – they occupy the largest building on base – the facility is everything you could hope for in Army Aviation.  We will be able to get up close and into the helicopters.

The hospitality suite will have beer, wine and soft drinks available.  We will make the prices reasonable. There will be seats for casual group gatherings.

Dress – during the day, Colorado Casual.  For Dinner – men are requested to wear coat and tie and military decorations (if desired and available).  Ladies are asked to wear cocktail attire for the dinner.  We will have two hotel rooms available for freshening up.  One will be for the women; one for the guys.

In the afternoon, we will have the DVD showing the movement of Huey 091 to the Smithsonian available for viewing.

Denver LZ Registration

Deadline  — Sept 23, 2011

Name___________________________­­­­­­­____________________________

Spouse Name_________________________________________________

Contact Information:  _________________________________________Ph/email/as desired

Dinner Choices:

Mediterranean Chicken ________ No. requested.

Prime Rib                             _________No  requested

Vegetarian                        _________ No requested.

Anyone who plans to go onto Buckley AFB to see the helicopters must be pre-cleared.  To do so, send your name (last, first, MI); Date of Birth; Drivers License number and State of Issue, and full Social Security Number.    An access roster will be sent to the installation by the Chapter five duty days in advance.  The base will run a “Wants and Warrant Check” on everyone.

If your lady would like to attend High Tea at the Brown Palace, please advise by September 23^rd.  We currently have space for 20 reservations; if more attend the Brown Palace will need to add another table.  The cost is $ 39.00 for the tea.

Please include a check for $ 60.00 per person made out to Rocky Mountain Chapter, VHPA.  If wife is attending the Brown Palace Tea, please include the extra $39.00.  Mail registration form and check to Fred Lyssy, 2045 Newcombe Drive, Lakewood, CO.  Phone numbers are 303-232-2152 (home) or 303-748-5110 (cell).

I am attending the Buckley static helicopter display.  The following information is provided:

_____________________        _______   _____________       _______            ________________

Name (Last, First, MI)                     DOB          Drivers Lic #          State Issued Full SSAN

Total Payment  Enclosed –    $  ____________

___________________________________________________________________________________

August 14, 2010

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

President Walt Wise  called the meeting to order at 1034 at the Leprino’s Hanger at Metro Airport, Broomfield. CO. There were a large number of new and returning member and introductions were given. In addition to the members listed – Bob Greeno  member of WOC Class #51-1; the first WOC Class was the guest of Lyle Borders.  Bob  related a few stories, and I’m sure has many more to tell….he thinks his Korean war flight records were burned up in the St. Louis fire and he didn’t remind the Army of his experience when Vietnam came along “as a lot of pilots were being lost”. He lives in Broomfield and has agreed to come to a meeting in the Oct/Nov time frame and give us new guys an idea of what ‘real’ flying was all about.

The following members and their guests were present at the meeting or arrived in time to enjoy the “Pig Roast prepared by Don Rice and his wife:  Al & Dotty Harinck , Ben & Sherri Prieb, John Hargleroad, Bill and Kate Martin, Sharon and Walt Winters, M/M Brian Foote & granddaughter, Eric and Margaret Brettschneider, Gary Hurelle, John Grauff, Mike Silva, Paula and Robert Brightwell, Laurel and Tom Landis, Phil Lanphier, Jerry Marshall, Kirk Williams (New Member), Hal & Gayle Bergdahl,  Bill & Dianne Robie, Fred & Kathy Lyssy, Tom Landis, Steve Swaim, Lyle Borders, Rally Ralston, President Walt and myself. Including a few other unnamed guests a total of 41 enjoy the BBQ and enormous amount of deserts and beverages.

The upcoming display of the Helicopter War Museum at CSU/Pueblo in conjunction with the displaying of the AVTT Vietnam Wall display was discussed and Ops Officer Ed Fickes was able to complete his OIC for each days duty roster and sign up a few more volunteers. The event tales place the last day of September and ends October 3^rd. Phil Lanphier has purchase a $1,000 mannequin (for just $30) to add to the Museum’s display….it is headless, but put a flight helmet on it and who could tell the difference from the real thing. My flight instructor said I never used mine anyway.

The duty roster will be posted separate from these minutes for all to review and add their names to help if they can. This should be a great event where the Chapter can get out our message and receive some donations. Our Welcome Home” and the remaining stock of our mahogany models will be available for sale. Members were encouraged to help as we may also be helping Bill McPherson docent his M Model Gunship during the event.

The September meeting was scheduled of the 18^th at the American Legion at I-25 & Yale, at 1000hrs.  Jeff Roy from the MOPH will attend and give a report on recent lobbing activies concerning all veterans. Both President Walt Wise and Immediate Past President Gary Hurlle will be unable to attend and Ed Fickes was asked to Chair the September meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 1130 and all moved outdoors to enjoy the BBQ and test out the completed Huey ½ cockpit, which is nearly 100% complete and should be delivered and installed in the Museum in the next few weeks – prior to its departure to Pueblo.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ed Fickes Substitute Secretary

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

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 13^th 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 14^th 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 1^st, 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 14^th.  Details will follow.

Gary adjourned the meeting at 12:05

Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer

As you have noticed, the website has been down for quite some time.  We are now back up, but the webpage is not up to date as yet.  About the last year of data for archive purposes will need to be incorporated.  Thank you for your patience and interest.

CHAPTER OFFICERS

Gary Hurelle, our recent Vice President, has assumed duties as our President.  Walt Wise has taken over the position of Vice President.

NEXT MEETING

As is our custom, there will not be a meeting in July.