The Huey Is Coming Home: Community Invited to Historic Flight Home Memorial Homecoming September 18

Veterans, riders, families and community members are invited to welcome the Flight Home Memorial’s Huey to New Lenox on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

NEW LENOX, IL — On Friday, September 18, a historic UH-1 “Huey” helicopter will complete its journey from Virginia to its new home at the Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977 in New Lenox.

The aircraft will become the centerpiece of the Flight Home Memorial, a permanent POW/MIA memorial being created to honor those who served, those who sacrificed, and those who never made it home.

Fittingly, the Huey will arrive in New Lenox on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

The community is invited to be part of the homecoming. Participants can ride from New Lenox to Indiana, join the escort in Remington, Indiana, or gather at Post 1977 to welcome the Huey home.

STAGE 1 — Ride From New Lenox to Indiana

Riders who would like to make the trip together from New Lenox should meet at:

Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977
14414 Ford Drive, New Lenox, IL

Meet: 6:30 AM
Kickstands Up: 6:45 AM

The group will travel to Exit 201 in Remington, Indiana, off I-65 to meet the transport carrying the Huey.

STAGE 2 — Join the Escort in Remington

Riders and organizations wishing to join the main escort can meet the group in Remington.

Location: West side of I-65 Exit 201 near the abandoned hotel/gravel lot.

Because Remington is near the Central/Eastern Time Zone boundary, both times are being provided:

Meet: 9:00 AM CST / 10:00 AM EST
Riders Meeting: 9:20 AM CST / 10:20 AM EST
Kickstands Up: 9:30 AM CST / 10:30 AM EST

From Remington, the group will escort the transport carrying the Huey back to New Lenox.

Veterans organizations, motorcycle groups and individual riders are welcome to participate.

STAGE 3 — Welcome the Huey Home

You don't need a motorcycle to be part of this historic day.

Community members, Veterans, families, first responders and supporters are encouraged to gather at:

Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977
14414 Ford Drive, New Lenox, IL

Please arrive no later than 11:00 AM.

The parking lot will need to remain clear as crews prepare for the transport and move the helicopter into position.

The Huey is anticipated to arrive at approximately Noon.

Bring your American flags, your family, your neighbors and your friends and help give this aircraft the homecoming it deserves.

Sandwiches and chips will also be available for a $10 donation, with proceeds benefiting the Flight Home Memorial.

More Than a Helicopter

The arrival of the Huey represents one of the largest milestones yet for the Flight Home Memorial.

The memorial is being created on the grounds of American Legion Post 1977 as a permanent place of remembrance centered around the stories of America's POW/MIA service members and their families.

Its primary honoree is Staff Sergeant Kenneth James Patton, who was lost in Vietnam on February 2, 1968, along with four fellow servicemen. More than five decades later, their story — and the stories of those who have yet to make their final flight home — will continue to be remembered.

The Huey arriving September 18 will eventually become the centerpiece of that memorial.

This project has grown into a true community effort, bringing together Veterans, local residents, businesses, skilled trades, transportation partners, volunteers and supporters who are donating their time and talents to make the Flight Home Memorial a reality.

Friday, September 18, 2026.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

The Huey comes home.

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