A Load We’ll Never Forget
With Veterans Day approaching, we want to share a job that meant a great deal to our team. We helped load a Huey helicopter bound for the Flight Home POW/MIA Memorial in New Lenox, Illinois, using our rotator service to position it on a lowboy. Getting the aircraft ready for its journey was exciting. Meeting the people behind the memorial and hearing why they wanted this particular symbol was what stayed with us.
They had spent years waiting for a Huey. After hearing their story, we were grateful to help them take another step toward opening the memorial.
Five Men Who Never Came Home
The vehicle we helped load represents a personal loss for the people building the memorial. On February 2, 1968, five American servicemen went missing during the Vietnam War. Among them was a Huey crew chief whose cousin later became commander of American Legion Post 1977 in New Lenox.
The helicopter involved in that mission was found on May 24, 1968. But the men remained unaccounted for.
A Helicopter People Remember
Hueys carried troops, delivered supplies, and evacuated wounded service members during the Vietnam War. For people on the ground, the sound of one approaching could mean help was coming.
The Huey headed to New Lenox is not the aircraft from the missing crew’s mission. It will stand at the center of the Flight Home Memorial, honoring more than 80,000 American service members unaccounted for since World War II.
American Legion Post 1977 had been on a waiting list for a Huey since 2000. When another organization could no longer care for its helicopter, the post had an opportunity to take it. Members drove more than 11 hours to collect the aircraft, with another long drive planned for the return trip.
After such a long wait, they finally had a helicopter for the memorial.
Getting the Huey Onto the Lowboy
We brought our rotator and several team members to help load the helicopter. With its long tail, the Huey called for close attention while it was suspended. Our goal was to position it on the lowboy while keeping it from swinging.
The heavy-duty rotator service work involved coordinating everyone around the aircraft as we moved it into place. We kept our attention on three things:
- Guiding the helicopter’s movement as we lifted it
- Keeping the suspended aircraft from swinging unnecessarily
- Positioning it on the lowboy for the next part of its journey
Once it was aboard, the lowboy transported the Huey toward its next destination. Our rotator lifting service had helped the memorial team move one step closer to bringing the aircraft home.
The Anniversary They’re Working Toward
February 2, 2028, will mark 60 years since the five servicemen disappeared. The American Legion post hopes to have the memorial completed by then, giving visitors a place to learn their story and reflect on everyone still missing.
That made this rotator-assisted transport especially meaningful for us. The people we met were preparing a tribute they’d spent years planning and waiting to build.
Why We’re Sharing This for Veterans Day
Veterans Day is a time to thank those who have served. This story also brings to mind the men and women who never returned and the families who have spent decades without answers.
We were able to contribute our rotator service to a memorial that honors them. We hope it gives visitors a reason to learn about the people it remembers.
Bee Line Transport Commemorates Our Service Men and Women this Veteran’s Day
At Bee Line Transport, we use heavy-duty equipment to solve difficult lifting and transportation problems. This time, several members of our team got to help a community project with a deeply personal history. We were glad to play even a small part.
Our rotator service positioned the Huey on its lowboy, but the memory we’ll carry is of meeting the people determined to give missing service members a place of remembrance.
And to all our veterans: thank you for your service!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Flight Home Memorial?
The Flight Home Memorial is a POW/MIA memorial being developed by American Legion Post 1977 in New Lenox, Illinois. It will honor American service members who remain unaccounted for and provide a place for remembrance and reflection.
Why was a Huey helicopter chosen for the memorial?
Huey helicopters played a major role during the Vietnam War, transporting troops, delivering supplies, and evacuating wounded personnel. The aircraft symbolizes rescue, service, and the servicemen who never returned.
How did Bee Line Transport help with the project?
We used our rotator and several team members to position the helicopter on a lowboy trailer for transportation.
Why was it important to keep the Huey from swinging during the lift?
A helicopter’s long tail makes it an awkward load to handle while suspended. We used our rotator and coordinated our team members to limit swinging as we carefully positioned the Huey on the lowboy. Uncontrolled movement could have damaged the aircraft or created a hazard for everyone working nearby.