Vietnam Veterans recognized with combat helicopter

Dozens of people were in attendance at the Veterans Memorial Park in the City of Tonawanda to honor Vietnam Veterans a special way... with a combat helicopter, which flew several missions during the Vietnam War.

"We're a brotherhood no matter what you were," said Vietnam Veteran David Miller. "Whether it was in Vietnam, Korea, World War II."

The chopper was shot down in 1968, and Veterans say this will help serve as a reminder of a war, and people often forgotten.

"The Cobra helicopter in Vietnam was a workhorse," said Michael Walker, President of Chapter 77 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. "It was the one you called in when you were in close combat. It would come in and help the troops."

"We weren't recognize like everybody else but we recognize people back in Afghanistan and Iraq," said Miller. "It means a lot to us. The Town of Tonawanda has a jet from World War II. This is Vietnam, which we were at."

The helicopter will now carry the name "Remembering Vietnam."

"It was recovered and then it flew again, just like the Vietnam Vets... we come back," said Paul Pietrowski, Treasurer of Chapter 77 of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Local Veterans have been working on this project since 2006. Once finalized, the helicopter will be suspended at a pole in the park.

To donate money, you can send it to this address:

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 77
47 Main St.
Tonawanda, NY 14150