Travelog post for: Henry-Bo

b]Hi Mom!!!! A few days ago on September 11th we went out in town and went to my hosts work at the New River Air station.  After that we went to the Beirut Memorial, World Trade center memorial and the Vietnam Veterens Memorial.  The airstation and the parks were very nice.  Here I am with all the other TVs as our day unfolded

Here we are at the entrance to my host Steves work.  As you can see it is fenced off and you have to have a special clearance to get on the flight line.  We sneak through with my host and start exploring!!



We are now inside the compound and we take a photo with the units sign.  This is a Helicopter Squadron and we are amazed at what we see!!



First stop we climb up this very interesting staircase!!! Can you see us on the stairs??



We read the signs on the side of the building, these are the battles the Marines have fought in.  We learn a lot of history today.





We then go in my hosts office to get a key so we can go out into the helicopter bay... we need top secret clearence for this and we hide in our hosts pocket



Since we will be out in the helicopters we need to grab our safety helmets



WOW look how BIG this first helicopter is!! This is the CH53 helicopter and it can hold 50 Marines and pick up 15,000 pounds of gear!!



Here is a larger view, can you see me?



We climb inside..... this is very special since we are not suppose to be here lol

Here we are up front, look at all the dials!!



I get my honorary flight crew status and now I am FLYING the helicopter!!!! dont I look good!!



This is the view looking out the back................kinda dark but I wanted you to see how big it is!




We peak out the Helicopter bay and see the other bay across the yard.



Here is a view of the CH53 *parking lot*


My host now shows us the V22 Osprey helicopter.  This is the ONLY place in the entire world that they are available to see.  They are kept here exclusively!


The V22 has a rotor on each side of it.  It is unique in that the rotors spin down like a airplane but once up in the air they rotate above the top of the helicopter. Here is a great photo of one.



Here we are posing with the V22





I go inside to see where the pilots sit.. sssshhhhh dont tell anyone I was in here!!!!!







We leave the flight line and go to the Staff NCO club.  This is for ranks E6 and above.  Here we are outside the club.



Here we are with a pretty view of the New River inlet.



We leave the club and drive to the Aviation outdoor memorial.  Here is a view of the flight line from the car.



We arrive at the memorial, which is outdoors and pretty neat!
Here we are with the statues, signs and old helicopters on display.































We leave and go visit the Beirut Memorial



We walk through the beautiful gardens over to the world trade center memorial.  This is a actual steal beam from the world trade center tragedy.  Since this day was September 11th lots of people were also here.







We walk around the corner and visit the new Vietnam Memorial.  this is a beautiful fountain and the panals that you see are made of glass and every single person that died in Vietnam has their name on the glass.





I learned a lot about the Marines today and their past history.  I wanted to share my fun day with you and hope you enjoyed the updates. 

Love
Henry-Bo