A piece of American history and the men who lived it are in the process of moving to Oxford.
American Legion Post 108 gained approval from the Oxford Township Planning Commission Aug. 11 to display a Huey helicopter used in the Vietnam War on the northwest corner of its E. Drahner Rd. property.
The Huey was obtained by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVOA) Oakland County Chapter 133 in November 2001 and currently sits in front of their hall on W. Kennett Rd. in Pontiac. Although it now serves as a military memorial, back in the day, it flew soldiers with the First Cavalry in and out of combat.
The most widely used military helicopter, the Bell UH-1 series Iroquois (better known as the ‘Huey?) began arriving in Vietnam in 1963 and before the end of the war, more than 5,000 of these aircrafts were introduced into Southeast Asia, according to the Federation of American Scientists? website www.fas.org. Proving itself to be a versatile aircraft, Hueys were used for medical evacuations, air assaults, command and control, rapidly moving troops and materials to and from front line positions and as gun ships.
‘To the Vietnam veterans that’s their symbol,? said Jim Parkhurst, past commander of Legion Post 108 and curator of its war museum. ‘That’s the thing that flew those guys in and out of the jungles of Vietnam. It was their ride home, the way out.?
In Vietnam, the Huey was used extensively for rapid medical evacuations that saved countless lives. The mortality rate in Vietnam was less than 1 per 100 casualties as compared to 4.5 deaths per 100 casualties in World War II. Granted, there were significant advancements in medical procedures, but most of the success was credited to the speed and volume with which the wounded reached medical care thanks to the Hueys.
‘We’re trying to save a piece of history,? said Parkhurst of the Huey. ‘Just having it here would mean a lot to the Vietnam veterans we have in our post.?
With no motor, padlocked doors and twin-blades anchored by steel cables, Parkhurst assured planning commissioners the chopper would pose no danger to the public.
But the helicopter isn’t the only veteran of the Vietnam War moving to Oxford.
In early June, VVOA Chapter 133’s leadership approached Post 108 about moving their charter, approximately 168 members and helicopter to Oxford.
Chapter 133 sold its W. Kennett Rd. building and must move out by Jan. 2, 2006. It seems the cost of operating and maintaining the facility became too great for the chapter’s limited income, which consists of hall rentals, merchandise sales and miscellaneous fund-raisers.
Chartered in 1985, Chapter 133 became the first Vietnam Veterans of America chapter to acquire property and construct its own building. The group held its first meeting on Kennett Rd. in November 1994.
On the national level, Vietnam Veterans of America was founded in 1978 as the only congressionally chartered organization exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. Today, it has more than 50,000 members and 525 local chapters nationwide.
By offering them a new place to call home, Legion Post 108 is helping ensure Chapter 133’s survival.
‘The only way they can retain their charter is if they stay within Oakland County,? Parkhurst said.
Moving Chapter 133 here is about ‘keeping those vets together? and maintaining their spirit of ‘camaraderie? rather than forcing them to disband and join other local VVOA chapters, which are few in number, according to Parkhurst.
Moving the chapter here also helps preserve the helicopter. Because the Huey is technically still U.S. government property, if the chapter disbanded, the government could reclaim it and turn it into scrap metal, Parkhurst said.
Although the two veterans groups still have to agree to the move, Parkhurst said he doesn’t foresee any problems
Parkhurst said the two groups should blend well together given that eight or more members of Post 108 are also Chapter 133 members, including current Post Commander Mike Tyrrell.
Post 108’s war museum also has a few Vietnam era uniforms on display from deceased Chapter 133 members. ‘We’ve got one from a Green Beret,? Parkhurst said.
The addition of Chapter 133 would give Oxford its fifth veterans organization. Currently, the community is served by American Legion Post 108, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 108, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 108 and AMVETS Post 108.

place to call home, Legion Post 108 is helping ensure Chapter 133’s survival.
‘The only way they can retain their charter is if they stay within Oakland County,? Parkhurst said.
Moving Chapter 133 here is about ‘keeping those vets together? and maintained their spirit of ‘camaraderie? rather than forcing them to disband and join other local VVOA chapters, which are few in number, according to Parkhurst.
Moving the chapter here also helps preserve the helicopter. Because the Huey is technically still U.S. government property, if the chapter disbanded and the government could reclaim it and turn it into scrap metal, Parkhurst said.
Although the two veterans groups still have to agree to the move, Parkhurst said he doesn’t foresee any problems
Parkhurst said the two groups should blend well together given that eight or more members of Post 108 are also Chapter 133 members, including current Post Commander Mike Tyrrell.
Post 108’s war museum also has a few Vietnam era uniforms on display from deceased Chapter 133 members. ‘We’ve got one from a Green Beret,? Parkhurst said.
The addition of Chapter 133 would give Oxford its fifth veterans organization. Currently, the community is served by American Legion Post 108, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 108, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 108 and AMVETS Post 108.