Posted By chrisgarbow
The VHPAF Annual Reunion will be held at beautiful Plantation Inn in Crystal River. The dates are September 20-23, 2012. The Registration Form is now available. Simply click on the link below, print it out, and forward along with your check to Don Welch at the address indicated. Call The Plantation Inn direct to reserve your room at 800-632-6262. Mention VHPAF to secure best rates.
Posted By vhpafwebmaster
Due to circumstances of increased work load, and not enough time, I’m looking for someone to take over as the VHAPF Webmaster. The minimum requirements are someone who knows how to log into a secure site, can read and type, and can learn a few basic lessons on updating the website. I’ll be glad to train, and our web host is also available for no charge as long as we do not abuse his time. Anyone interested please contact Tom Tomlinson, President, and cc me. Don’t be shy:-)
Posted By vhpafwebmaster
The VHPAF Chapter had the great opportunity this past December 2011 to support “The Wall That Heals†at Marco Island Florida salute to all veterans. The traveling wall is part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and was hosted by the Marco Island Traveling Wall Committee. The chapter was invited to display our OH-6A ‘Loach’ during the four day event. Three of our VHPAF members, Tom Tomlinson, Tom Rountree and Tom Rinehart supported the event by explaining how the helicopter was primarily used as a scout and what other missions and aircraft were used in Vietnam. During the four days over 5,000 people visited the wall, the veteran’s park and the helicopter display. We also met some very interesting veterans of other wars and who themselves made history. Not a person who visited our display missed “thanking†us for our service and that we represented a great group of guys; the pilots and crew members who flew in Vietnam. The support and generosity we received from the Marco Island committee and their sponsors was outstanding. A great job was done by Lee Rubenstein the committee chairman and Thom Carr, a VHPA member, for inviting the VHPAF.
Also during the month of December the VHPAF supported the ‘Thank You Veterans Golf Tournament’ which was held in Longwood Fl at the Wekiva Golf Club. The tournament was sponsored by Don and Jon Hodgskin, brothers of Jimmy Hodgskin, who was killed in Vietnam flying cobra gunships. A fly by salute was presented by the three Firehawk helicopters, owned by Chuck Brainard, a member of the VHPAF. In the fly by Jim Basta, a key member of the chapter was saluted for his service to the VHPAF and the tournament with a ride in the lead helicopter.