Video: Non Profit Group Helps Educate Public About Vietnam Aircraft, Provide Closure To Veterans

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Members of the public will have a rare opportunity to take a ride on a Vietnam era helicopter.   A non profit group dedicated to preserving the legacy of US Army aviation is in Tupelo ahead of dedication ceremonies for the replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall.  WCBi’s Allie Martin has more.

For Kim Sistrunk, climbing aboard this 1971 Huey  is much more than a chance to ride in the chopper that was the workhorse of the Vietnam War, it is also a chance to remember and honor her Father.

“Leslie Forest Douglas, he left for Vietnam August 8th of 69 and he was killed in action June 30 1970,” Sistrunk said.

Lieutenant Douglas’ Huey was hit by enemy fire, and crashed near the Cambodia-South Vietnam border.   Lieutenant Douglas and three others lost their lives defending South Vietnam against the communists.   Sistrunk says she is grateful to be able to fly in the same type of aircraft her dad flew as he served his country.

“It’s a priceless gift, really and I’am so grateful that Tupelo has the opportunity to be in this community, it means more than really words can express,” she said. 

Watching Kim’s flight from the hanger is John Goosman.  He was the only survivor of Lt Douglas’ final mission and says having the Huey available for tours and rides helps more people have a better understanding of the Vietnam War.

“I think living history is a lot, more value than book learning.  Book learning can tell you dates, places, names but it can’t give you that personal experience you get when you get to speak to a veteran who served,”Goosman said.

That is exactly why Friends of Army Aviation Ozark do what they do.  The Alabama based non profit, takes its legacy aircraft around the nation,  not only teaching others about the Vietnam conflict, but more importantly, helping veterans of the war deal with buried emotions and feelings.

“For fifty years you have guys out here walked around, not able to tell families what they did, how they were received when they got home, they could not relate to families, families could not understand, but minute that family gets on that airplane that closure becomes very prevalent and communication, for many years was never there begins to heal that family and they have closure between family and soldier himself,” said Vietnam Veteran John “Doc” Holladay. 

Friends of Army Aviation Ozark will fly members of the Douglas family to Veteran’s Park for dedication ceremonies of the replica Vietnam Memorial Wall Thursday morning. 

Huey flights for the public will be available after the Veteran’s Park ceremony for $50  per person.  The flights should continue, weather permitting, until 3 in the afternoon.