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“Copter rescue mission Vet aims to restore medical aircraft that saved lives”
by: DEBBIE TUMA

The sound of power tools and laughter is filtering out of the shed where a dozen or so members of the Marine Helicopter Squadron 361 Veterans Association Inc. are working tirelessly to reconstruct a helicopter that most of them actually flew in during the Vietnam War.

PROJECT HEADQUARTERS-The entrance to the work area for the helicopter restoration project, located on a sod farm in Jamesport.

It was hard not to be overwhelmed by the scene. I realized that I am not only unfamiliar with the mechanics of a helicopter, but also with the camaraderie that results between humans when they share such an emotionally and physically taxing experience as war.
The veteran members of the "Flying Tigers," as they were dubbed during the war, are working on a small sod farm in Jamesport. As soon as this reporter arrived at the scene, it was obvious that they had been working for some time to renovate a UH-34D Sikorsky helicopter that was in use between 1963 and 1969.
The helicopter looks frightening in the shed. It is enormous, even in its unfinished state. Al Weiss,
who has spearheaded the project, mentioned that if one walked around the craft they could see patches where bullet holes had been covered up. It had been shot at "countless times," according
to the men. Sure enough, on the far side of the helicopter, several patches were indeed visible, Vietnam.
Possibly the most amazing story I heard during my visit was that of Retired United States Marine Corps Captain Ben Cascio, who was a member of the Flying Tiger's sister squadron HMM-362, also known as the "Ugly Angels," during Vietnam. Tyrrell told Cascio's tale, a story I will never forget.
Apparently, Cascio is an excellent helicopter pilot and still flies to this day. Tyrrell told me that during the Vietnam War, Cascio was mid-flight when he was shot in the eye, causing his vision to
be temporarily lost. "Do you know what he did?" Tyrrell asked me. I shook my head and he said, "Ben, with blood covering his eyes, broke all of the glass that covered the helicopter's needles and used his hands to feel the motion [of the needles]. He landed the plane completely blind."
I looked over at Cascio, who still bears the scars of his injury, in awe. He sort of shrugged as if to say, "I did what I had to do."
Later in the day, Cascio took me aside and pulled some photographs from the trunk of his car. On August 26, 2001, Cascio had been flying the helicopter from which parts were being used to reconstruct the UH-34D helicopter over New York City. As he flew past the Twin Towers, he
snapped a picture. What developed was an incredibly close photograph of the towers, with the wing of the helicopter in the foreground, the word "Marines" capturing the viewer's eye.
Cascio gave me a copy of the photograph, signed personally by the first war hero I have ever had
the honor of shaking hands with. All of these men, explained Weiss, have full-time jobs from which they had to take vacation time in order to be available to work on the project from May 15 to 22. No matter how much time these men put into the project, it cannot make up for the money needed to complete their reconstruction efforts. Donations are needed. This point was stressed by Weiss, who
is relying on the compassion and generosity of community members to reach the project's ultimate goal.
The goal, according to Weiss, is to bring the UH-34D helicopter back to its original state. He needs to find a home for the craft as well, something that has not happened as of yet.
"Ultimately, we want this [helicopter] to be used as an educational tool," he said. He also explained that the helicopter is a vital piece of American history, having been involved in such operations as picking up astronauts from the ocean after they returned from space, as well as being involved in Medevac operations and resupply missions during the Vietnam War.
He hopes that the craft will be used in air shows and be the subject of public viewing on national holidays.
All donations will be accepted and are tax deductible. To donate, visit the project's website at WWW.freedomsflyingmemorial.org
. Here you will not only be able to view photographs detailing the project's progress, but also download a printable donation form. Donations can be sent to the Marine Helicopter Squadron 361 Veterans Association Inc. at P.O. Box 429, Cutchogue, NY 11935.
Possibly the most important aspect of this story is the aforementioned issue of finding a home for the helicopter when it is complete. Weiss is calling out to anyone and everyone who may have an idea of where this important artifact can be housed. He mentioned that he's looked into the possibility of Gabreski Airport, which would seem like a viable option, but was told by Suffolk County officials that
all available hangar space was occupied well into the future.
If you or someone you know has an option for the restored UH-34D helicopter, contact Weiss at 734-7754.
As my visit ended with hugs and more tears, the men expressed their sentiments about the
anticipated completion of the project. "The day that it takes off for the first time, looking [just as it did] all those years ago, I'll tell you what," Tyrrell said as he leaned back, regarding the craft, "you're going to see grown men cry."

PRESERVING HISTORY-Pictured left to right are Paul Jaccard, Barry Diamond, Al Weiss, Dale Houghton, Keith Cameron, A.C. Daniel,
Larry Isham, Frank Flagg, Russ Tyrrell, Walt Cohoon and Ben Cascio. Ron Hatton and Scott Estabrook also participated in the restoration.

A bit of rusted glory sits in the Arizona desert, a phoenix ready to rise again. A helicopter used by Marine Helicopter Squadron 361 may see air time once more, as former members of the unit prepare to restore it to the way they remember it at the beginning of the Vietnam War.
The group plans to buy the now junked UH-34D Sikorsky helo from a salvage yard
in Cochise, Ariz., and spend as much as $350,000 over three years
to bring it back to life. The Transmission overhaul is estimated to cost $80,000, said Alan Weiss, who served in Southeast Asia with the so-called Flying Tigers. But Weiss, a former mechanic in the squadron, said it's worth it. "I think it will all come together - it will just take a lot of effort," said Weiss, a parts manager at a Long Island, N.Y. Ford Dealership.

This UH-34D Sikorsky helicopter was used by Marine Helicopter Squadron 361, during the early years of the Vietnam War, but now sits in a salvage yard in Arizona. Members of the association plan to purchase the bird and restore it to fly again. The project is estimated to cost $350,000 and take three years.