The UH1-H Arrives in Chehalis
After a long wait the 1967 Vietnam Era Huey helicopter that the museum purchased several months ago is finally in Chehalis to undergo a restoration for the future static display. With the help of volunteers from Fire Mountain Farms, Chehalis Rentals, Tyler Rentals, and the Department of Natural Resources we were able to bring the bird down from Olympia to a location in Chehalis so that volunteer crews can help to bring the Huey back into presentable condition.
As you can see from the images, there is a lot of work to be performed. Currently we are in need of donations of parts and / or financial donations to acquire parts from various sources. We need: all doors, engine cowling, tail boom cowling and plexiglass. None of the missing parts need to be in serviceable or flying condition for display. Please contact the Museum for more information.
Battle of Bull Run
Civil War Sesquicentennial
The Battle of Bull Run Event was held on the weekend of July 16th and 17th. Though the weather did not cooperate we still had many attend the unique event. The landscape around the Museum was dotted with tents where living historians endured the rain, much like our ancestors did back in 1861.
The living historians gave many presentations about camp life, munitions of the Civil War, artillery, tactics as wells as what civilian life was like 150 years ago. Young and old learned about candle making, rope making, leatherworks, cooking, sewing, fashion, music, poetry as well as the grim realities of battles in the American Civil War.
For this event we partnered with the Chehalis Steam Train on both Saturday and Sunday. Soldiers and civilians from both the North and the South boarded the train and interacted with the passengers for a ride that many will not forget. Once the train returned to the station the soldiers disembarked and then fought a demonstration skirmish.
Just like the event in April we also had another Civil War era lunch. This time we had a more of a camp fare menu with pulled pork, cornbread salad and rolls. The meal was catered by Joy at Once Upon a Thyme (1090 NW State Ave, Chehalis WA 360-740-8944)
This was the last Civil War event for 2011. Keep looking for more updates as we have several events planned for the 2012, including a large scale battle.
Vietnam Era Veterans Remembrance Day
On August 6th the Museum hosted the 13th annual Vietnam Era Veterans Remembrance Day. We had a good turn out of veterans this year.
This years speaker was Rear Admiral Cathal "Irish" Flynn who gave e a very detailed presentation about the social and political aspect of the Vietnam War. We also had Col Thanh Le of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force gave a presentation from the perspective of the South Vietnamese.
Music was provided by the U.S. Navy Northwest Band who gave an amazing performance by the 19 members who attended. The U.S. Navy also provided a Color Guard.
The voices of Mike and Amanda Marcus touched all of our American Souls as they sang our National Anthem.