"Raising that helicopter is another step in our goal of building this museum," said Friends of The National Vietnam War Museum's Communications Director Edd Luttenberger.

He noted that this particular Huey had three tours of duty during Vietnam. He said it took gunfire and made a number of hard landings, but would be repaired in country and returned to service. The helicopter received a recorded 201 bullet holes during its service.

UH-1D 65-10068, purchased by the U.S. Army in August 1966, now bears the colors and insignia of the 282nd Assault Helicopter Company, the "Black Cats," representing the unit in which Jerry Staggs, of Weatherford, Texas, served as a crew chief during Vietnam. Staggs led the restoration and museum dedication project for this Huey helicopter.

The Huey is considered the symbol of the Vietnam War for American troops. If you served in Vietnam, the Huey was a lifeline. It was Huey that likely carried you into the action, and a Huey that carried you out. It is said the Huey's distinct "chop-chop-chop" sound made by its large blades bring back many memories for the Vietnam vet.

"When they hear the chopping of the blades, they can taste being back in Vietnam," said Richard Guarkee.

The military helicopter is an important symbol for Mineral Wells, and why the museum is being constructed near the entrance to the former Fort Wolters, one of America's major helicopter pilot training facilities during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Hopkins -- as did 90 percent of the helicopter pilots during Vietnam -- trained at the Mineral Wells base before it was decommissioned in 1973.

One of the ceremony's speakers, retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Nate C. Vail, one of the museum's special "Board of Visitors" and representing the Fort Worth, Texas, chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, thanked the people who are part of the museum's construction efforts.

A Vietnam veteran, Vail told the crowd, "I make no bones about my feelings. I resent that this country sent us to battle then refused us the chance at victory. We won that war."

David May writes for the Mineral Wells (Texas) Index.