HomeMy WebLinkAboutVietnam War Memorial Program, 2014VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL
Saturday, 31 May 2014 • 11 a.m.
Lynn Stuart Pathway • Veterans Park & Athletic Complex
3101 Harvey Rd • College Station, Texas
R obert “Bob” Hesselbein is a lifelong professional pilot and recognized aviation safety and security expert. He has flown throughout the world for Northwest and Delta Air Lines piloting Boeing, Airbus and McDonnell-Douglas aircraft. He is a career military pilot, a highly-decorated combat veteran, a trained safety/accident investigator focused on human factors, and a graduate of the prestigious United States Air Force Weapons Instructor School.
Hesselbein has served in many positions of responsibility inside and outside of the flight deck. At age 19 he began his flying career as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot flying the AH-1G attack helicopter during combat operations in Vietnam and Cambodia. He then transferred to the United States Air Force (USAF), and later the Wisconsin Air National Guard, flying A-10 and F-16 jet fighters until his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 2000.
In 1983 Hesselbein attended the USAF Flight Safety Officer Course. Following graduation he specialized in human factors research involving perceptual errors and response. In 1985 his work led to significant revisions in flight training procedures throughout the United States Air Force. Additionally, he designed a solution to a flight control loss phenomena causing fatal accidents in two-seat F-16 fighters. His solution was employed worldwide.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
LTC Bob Hesselbein, USA, USAF (Ret.)
In 1986 Hesselbein began a dual career flying passengers and cargo for Northwest Air Lines and military fighters for the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He also shared his safety expertise as a member of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).
Following the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, Hesselbein was selected to chair the ALPA National Security Committee in Washington, D.C. In his role, Hesselbein provided oversight of committee activities ranging from airport security to flight deck defense, testified before Congress, and represented the security interests of more than 62,000 North American airline pilots, crew members and passengers to media around the world.
Hesselbein possesses an extensive background in aviation security. He performed airborne counter-drug surveillance duties for law enforcement agencies and created the standard airline crew member procedures guide for countering in-flight chemical/biological/nuclear/radiological threats. Today, Hesselbein offers his pilot-based security perspective to government entities and the aerospace industry through his writing and public speaking.
Recently retired from Delta Air Lines and living in the Madison, Wisconsin area, Hesselbein serves on the Middleton Cross-Plains Area School District Board of Education, and continues to fly, write, and serve as chief pilot of AIR-ONE, a nonprofit emergency response coalition of flying helicopters in Illinois and Wisconsin.
As a military veteran with 30 years of combined service, Hesselbein continues to participate in military legacy activities. He serves as the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association Vice President, is a docent and presenter specializing in the Vietnam War at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and provides guided tours at the Antietam and Gettysburg National Military Parks.
Bob Hesselbein is married to Wisconsin State Representative Dianne Hesselbein (79th District). They and their three children reside in Middleton, Wisconsin.
VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL
A dedication by theBrazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board of Directors
Welcome & GreetingsLTG Randolph W. House, USA (Ret.)President, BVVM Board of Directors Invocation & Pledge of AllegianceMr. William H. AdamsChaplain, BVVM Board of Directors Recognition of GuestsLTG Randolph W. House, USA (Ret.)
Dedication of “HOT LZ”Mr. Fain McDougalVice President, BVVM Board of Directors Recognition of ContributorsCOL John Happ, USAF (Ret.)Development Committee Chairman Introduction of SpeakerMr. Jim SingletonDesign Committee Chairman
VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL
A dedication by theBrazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board of Directors
Keynote AddressLTC Bob Hesselbein, USA, USAF (Ret.)President, Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association Recognition of POW / MIAMr. Bill Youngkin Special Event ChairmanKaroni Forrester National League of POW/MIA Families Presentation of Memorial WreathVietnam Veterans Association Chapter 937Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4692
Closing RemarksLTG Randolph W. House, USA (Ret.)
Rifle SaluteAmerican Legion Post 159 Taps
LZ - Landing zone. Usually a small clearing secured
temporarily for the landing of helicopters.
HOT LZ - A landing zone under enemy fire.
T he Vietnam War Memorial features a UH-1D Huey helicopter with soldiers approaching a dangerous landing zone, or Hot LZ. This site honors all veterans of the Vietnam War and highlights the pivotal role of rotary wing aircrews during the Vietnam era.
The soldier most prominently featured on the memorial backdrop is sculpted in the likeness of John Velasquez of Brazos County. John is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War and served as a U.S. Army infantryman in 1967-68 during some of the nation’s most brutal fights against the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army.
Today, John serves as a Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial board member and as the commander of Brazos County VFW Post 4692.
“HOT LZ”
HONOR A LOCAL VETERAN ON THE WALL OF HONORYour chance to submit Wall of Honor names ends Aug. 15
The Wall of Honor includes the names of veterans who have served our country in all branches and theaters of military service. The Memorial for All Veterans, Inc. manages this monument along with the entire memorial grounds at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station, Texas.
We ask for a donation of $100 for each name to cover the etching and other related costs. Names submitted by Aug. 15 will be included in the program for our annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.
Wall of Honor $100 veteran’s name placed on wall
Wall of Honor Donor $100-999 name placed on donor column $1,000-9,999 name placed on donor bench $10,000-24,999 name placed at Service flags $25,000+ name placed at US-TX-MIA flags
Regular Membership $25 per yearLifetime Membership $800 ages 30-under $400 ages 50-64 $700 ages 30-39 $200 ages 65+ $600 ages 40-49
Lynn Stuart Pathway Sponsor $5,000 site sponsor $40,000 statue benefactor
For more information, call 979.696.6247 or email info@bvvm.org. You may also write to BVVM at P.O. Box 11055, College Station, TX 77842.
P.O. Box 11055 • College Station • Texas 77842
info@bvvm.org • 979.696.6247
bvvm.org
Memorial design by
J. Payne Larajpaynelara.com
Program printed by