On Saturday, November 8 the Vietnam Experience exhibit opened at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Vietnam veterans were offered free admission on both Saturday and Sunday and hundreds came to see the new exhibit. About 10 Vietnam veterans each day were on hand to talk with visitors about their experiences; they were stationed throughout the exhibit near the helicopters and PBR (river patrol boat) that were a part of their service.
In addition, re-enactors were staged throughout the Vietnam Experience to add to the living history of the exhibit. On Sunday, November 9, the Charleston Community Band performed in the middle of the exhibit and offered a selection of patriotic tunes.
The Vietnam Experience features interactive technology and surround sound throughout the 2.5 acre exhibit. The exhibit recreates a US Navy advanced tactical support base (Brown Water Navy) and a US Marine Corps artillery firebase. Inside the firebase, a hologram explains the history of the Battle of Khe Sahn.
Visitors appreciated the opportunity to go inside the helicopters on display and truly get a feel for what it was like for our heroes in battle. Helicopters in the exhibit include a Sikorsky UH-34 Seahorse, UH-1M Huey Gunship and a Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight. In addition, a rare MK1 River Patrol Boat (PBR) is on display in a lagoon constructed for the new exhibit.
Many veterans came to see the new exhibit. The photo below includes veterans of three wars. One of the Brunson brothers served in WWII and the other in the Korean War; both came to see the Vietnam Experience on Saturday. Pat DeWeese, one of our veteran volunteers for the weekend, served as a medic in Vietnam.
Larry Pearcy served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 with the HMM-161 (Helicopter Marine Medium Squadron 161) as a crew chief on a CH-46 helicopter like the one pictured here. In addition to his service in Vietnam, Pearcy served four years total on active duty and two years in the reserves.
Barry Solomon (left) and Dr. Art Schmitt are both former Seawolves (Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three, HAL-3) standing near the monument that honors this highly-decorated squadron. Solomon was a combat aircrew door gunner/crew chief, and Schmitt is a former US Navy Commander and Huey Gunship pilot who has written many books about his experiences.
Billy Sparrow served on a PBR in River Division 593 in 1968-1969. Over the weekend, he talked with visitors about his time on a PBR like the one featured in our new exhibit.
Shown below, Ken Hines, Joe Caruso and Sebastian Gaglia were all CH-46 aircraft commanders with HMM-164 during the Vietnam War. All served as veteran volunteers for our Meet & Greet throughout the weekend.
Other photos from the weekend:
