Bonham -- The Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center held a dedication ceremony November 9 for the UH-1 helicopter that greets visitors arriving through the south entrance.
Eric Sanders, Veterans Centered Care Coordinator, was the driving force behind this project, along with the expertise of Jim White, a Bell Helicopter mechanic that did the assembly.
A Bonham VA crew also deserves credit for taking ownership in this project and making certain the finished product would be something the entire community would be proud of.
Jimmy Jared put on the final touches by stenciling the finished aircraft.
Developed and built by Bell Helicopter, the first combat role of the UH-1 was in Vietnam where the turbine-powered helicopter played an integral role in U.S. military operations. In all, 7,013 UH-1 helicopters saw action during the Vietnam War.
The dedication ceremony presented another opportunity for Lawrence Biro, Network Director, VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network, to visit with local employees.
Mr. Biro's had spoken earlier in the day at the 20th Regional Veterans Day Observance at Warrior Stadium and then he had a chance to visit with VA employees before the dedication ceremony for the helicopter. It was Biro's first visit to Bonham.