Vietnam Helicopter Crew Memorial

The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) estimates that over 100,000 helicopter pilots and crew members served during the Vietnam War. Over 4,800 helicopter pilots and crew members were killed in action, and more than 300 are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery is also the final resting place of helicopter crews whose remains were recovered many years after the end of the Vietnam War.

Firebirds Captain Herbert Crosby and CW3 Andy Howes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery in 2007 and 2011, respectively.

Ron Markiewicz – Firebird 97 – and wife Emily worked for about 2½ years as part of a team from the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) securing approval for the Memorial Monument. After a hell of a lot of work and walking the long corridors of Congress, the Memorial Monument was approved and dedicated in April 2018. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to both Ron and Emily.

Well Done! – expect nothing but the Best from the Rattler-Firebird Association!

The Finished Product

Ron Markiewicz with the completed Vietnam Helicopter Crew Memorial which was dedicated April 18, 2018: