HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - Members from Sun City Veterans Association traveled from Hilton Head Island to tour Hunter Army Airfield and visit with Soldiers, Oct. 8.
The group viewed Army helicopters on the flight line, observed Army Soldiers training, and shared chow at the dining facility with Soldiers from 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.
Will Brink, a Vietnam War veteran and former 67U20 aircraft repairer for the CH-21 Shawnee 'flying banana,' enjoyed the memories brought back by seeing the upgraded Chinook.
Brink is now an addiction counselor in North Dakota, and has been a counselor more than 40 years. He said there have been a lot of good memories during his counseling career, but aside from his marriage, the one year spent in Vietnam was one of his most important years.
"I get emotional," Brink said while holding back tears. "Our [aircraft] took pretty good hits but always brought us back safe and sound. But the crew, it was like Family."
Brink spoke with Spc. Kededrique Cooper, who is more familiar with the new CH-47F Chinook helicopter.
Cooper, a crew member with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, said it was an honor to be able to talk with the Brink and other visiting veterans.
"It's actually an honor to be able to talk to the veterans and hear some of their stories, but also to be able to showcase how much pride and joy I take in what I do every day which is being a member of the Chinook Family and crew member for Bravo 2-3," Cooper said.
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