CITY OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. -- As the City of Tonawanda continues to honor those who've served our country, the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter on Wednesday celebrated a milestone 10 years in the making.
The veterans from chapter 77 have been working since 2006 to bring a helicopter to Veterans Park, and now construction is underway.
The Niagara Aerospace Museum donated a helicopter used during the Vietnam War to be displayed in the park. A groundbreaking Wednesday officially kicked off construction of the base that will exhibit the helicopter at the park's entrance.
The aircraft was an attack helicopter, used in close combat to help the troops. It was shot down in Vietnam in the late 60s, refurbished and then put back in action.
Its last assignment was with the Air National Guard in Rochester, and now the city of Tonawanda is proud to welcome it as a permanent tribute to all those impacted by the Vietnam War.
"This helicopter and this memorial not only symbolizes the lives lost in Vietnam, the men and women who didn't come home, but the men and women who did come home and the family members who had to pick up the pieces due to the turmoil war had on those individuals," said Mayor Rick Davis, D-City of Tonawanda.
The Vietnam Veterans Chapter 77 is still collecting donations for the base that will display the helicopter. Anyone interested in donating can visit the chapter at 47 Main Street in Tonawanda, or send a donation to that address by mail.