'The Huey Is Coming Home': Historic Army Helicopter Journeys To Site Of Future Memorial In New Lenox

NEW LENOX, IL — On Friday, Sept. 18, a historic U.S. Army UH-1 "Huey" helicopter will complete its journey from Virginia to New Lenox, where it will become the centerpiece of the Flight Home Memorial, a permanent POW/MIA memorial dedicated to America's Prisoners of War, those Missing in Action, and all who served.

Fittingly, the Huey will arrive on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Veterans, motorcycle riders, military and veterans organizations, first responders, local officials, businesses, families and community members are invited to help welcome the aircraft home.

The public is invited to gather at Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977, 14414 Ford Drive, New Lenox, Illinois, beginning at 11 a.m.

The Huey is anticipated to arrive at approximately noon, following a large escort on the final leg of its journey. Homecoming activities will continue until approximately 3 p.m.

A Mission Decades in the Making

The Flight Home Memorial is a joint community project of Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977 and Farm2Veteran, supported by veterans, community members, businesses, skilled trades, organized labor and volunteers.

The effort to bring a helicopter to the Legion grounds has been years in the making. Under the leadership of Post 1977 Commander John Cap, the project has continued to carry forward the story of Staff Sergeant Kenneth James Patton and the men lost with him, while expanding the vision into a permanent memorial honoring all POW/MIA service members and all who served.

The Huey's arrival is a major milestone, but it is not the finish line. It is the point at which a long-held vision becomes something the community can see, touch and help build.

Remembering Five Men Who Never Came Home

At the heart of the memorial is the story of five U.S. Army servicemen who remain unaccounted for following the loss of UH-1H Iroquois 66-16442 on Feb. 2, 1968:

• Lieutenant Colonel Donald Dawson Burnham
• Staff Sergeant Kenneth James Patton
• Sergeant First Class Charles Leroy Adkins
• Sergeant Major Joe Harold Pringle
• Sergeant First Class Joseph David Puggi

The aircraft was making a ground-controlled approach to Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam when radio and radar contact were lost. The wreckage was later located, but the five men were not individually identified and remain unaccounted for. Their story - and the stories of Americans who have never returned home from our nation's wars - will remain central to the Flight Home Memorial.

'The Moment This Memorial Becomes Real'

"The Huey coming home is not the finish line—it is the moment this memorial becomes real," said Michelle Keller, senior director of Farm2Veteran and Flight Home Memorial project manager. "For years this was an idea, a hope and a plan. On September 18, people are actually going to see that Huey coming down the road surrounded by veterans, riders, and members of this community. From that moment forward, people will be able to look at it and understand that we are building something here that will outlive all of us."

"This project belongs to the community. The American Legion and Farm2Veteran may be helping lead it, but what has been remarkable is how many people have simply asked, 'What do you need?' Businesses, unions, veterans, first responders and community members are stepping forward with their equipment, their trades, their relationships and their time. That is exactly how we want this memorial to be built."

It Takes a Community to Bring a Huey Home

Moving a military helicopter hundreds of miles from Virginia to Illinois — and ultimately transforming the grounds surrounding it into a permanent memorial — requires a remarkable team. Businesses and organizations have already committed transportation, equipment, professional expertise, skilled labor and other resources to help make the project possible.

TRANSPORT TEAM

Bee Line Towing • Americars • Rendel's

These partners are helping coordinate the loading, transportation, delivery and placement of the aircraft as it makes its journey from Virginia to New Lenox.

BUILD TEAM

Northern Builders • Teamsters Local 731 • Iron Workers Local 444 • Iron Workers Local 63 • IBEW Local 9 • Painters District Council 14 • and additional partners continuing to join the project

From engineering and site preparation to structural work, electrical work, painting, transportation, equipment and skilled labor, the Flight Home Memorial is becoming a true community build. Additional businesses, labor organizations and community partners will be recognized as the project moves forward.

Sept. 18: Escorting the Huey Home

The Huey's journey home begins in Virginia, with pickup scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16. On Friday morning, Sept. 18, Veterans and motorcycle riders will leave American Legion Post 1977 to meet the transport in Indiana.

The main escort will assemble near I-65 Exit 201 in Remington, Indiana, before accompanying the Huey on the final stretch into New Lenox. The public does not need to ride to participate; community members are encouraged to gather at Post 1977 beginning at 11 a.m. to welcome the aircraft home.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to display American flags and welcome messages, share the Homecoming with employees, customers, friends and family, and join the community as the Huey arrives.

HUEY HOMECOMING

• Friday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977
  14414 Ford Dr.
• Huey is anticipated to arrive at approximately noon.

The Arrival Is Only the Beginning

Once the Huey reaches New Lenox, the next chapter begins. The aircraft will ultimately be incorporated into a permanent memorial space on the grounds of American Legion Post 1977.

The goal is not simply to display a historic military aircraft. The Flight Home Memorial is intended to become a place where veterans can reflect, families can remember, children can learn, and future generations can understand the cost of service and the obligation to remember those who never returned.

The leadership team continues to coordinate engineering, design, site work, fundraising, construction, community outreach and long-term planning with its growing network of partners.

Flight Home Memorial Leadership

• John Cap Commander, Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977

• Anthony Zipzie Senior Vice Commander, Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977
• Walt Mulloy Adjutant, Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977

• Bob Metzger Service Officer, Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977
• Michelle Keller Senior Director, Farm2Veteran & Flight Home Memorial Project Manager

Together, the team is coordinating the memorial project, community partnerships, transportation, construction planning, fundraising, outreach and the September 18 Homecoming.

About the Flight Home Memorial

The Flight Home Memorial is a joint project of Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977 and Farm2Veteran in New Lenox. Centered around an authentic U.S. Army UH-1 Huey helicopter, the permanent POW/MIA memorial will honor those who served, those who sacrificed and those who never made their final flight home.

The project is being made possible through collaboration among veterans, businesses, organized labor, skilled trades, community organizations, volunteers and supporters.