Dunlap, Tennessee
Sent in by Long Knife Pilot, Tom Egleston
We have FINALLY installed UH-1C 64-14179 at the Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park which is the culmination of a 2+ year project.
The pictures below are a snap shot of the restoration project and what went on this morning in "downtown" Dunlap.
The installation on the pedestal could not have been accomplished without the expertise and manpower offered by S & H Erectors from Lakesite, TN.
Not only did they design and build the pedestal, they provided the equipment and manpower this morning to install the Huey on the pedestal as
well as two 3 ton ship anchors we had gotten from the US Navy.
One more time, I want to thank the 19 members of our restoration team.
Some worked on the project early on, some throughout the entire project and some in the latter half of the project.
No matter how long each of them worked on the project, they devoted themselves, their time and their expertise completely and without fail.
THANK YOU to each and every one of you.
Formal dedication of the Huey and the anchors will take place on Veterans Day, 11 November.
If you can make it to the dedication, I urge you to do so.
Tom
President Tommy Hickey along with the unpaid staff of Veteran Volunteers wishes to express their most humble appreciation to the local community for the donations contributed today for the park fund.
The volunteers stood at the door of the Dunlap WalMart all day in the sun and many of you said thanks and gave what you could and according to
Secretary Treasurer Shirley Hardy over $3,200. in cash was received from the collections not counting many pounds of coins.
The Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park is your park and you have shown your support by your donation to this cause.
Tomorrow at 8:00 A.M. the Huey will be paraded by Police escort through our city starting at the Industrial Park,
following Rankin Avenue down US127 to Hy 28 and should arrive at the Memorial some twenty minutes later.
A crew of men will hoist the helicopter to it's permanent perch on the South side of the memorial with a large crane and then the two Navy ship anchors will be lifted to their new concrete pads on the North end.
The public is invited to watch but be aware some crowd control will be necessary to keep the citizens safe during the delicate lifting of the aircraft.
There will be no ceremony or speeches tomorrow, the formal dedication is scheduled for Veterans Day Sept. 11, 2016.
Parking at the High School is recommended so the equipment can moved around during the lift.
Bring your camera and flags for the brief parade.
The Veterans Park honors all Sequatchie County Veterans from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Korean War , WW1 ,WW2 , Cold War,
Vietnam Gulf War and Persian War to the current conflicts in the Middle East. The names inscribed on the wall illustrate the many Tennessee residents from this location who have served.
The Park office is located on Church Street Call 423-949-9000.
Although it is beautiful park and wonderful tribute to all veterans, these photos will emphasize the restoration and "mounting" of the UH-1C/M "Huey."
Tom was extensively involved in the project.
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