We brought some of our equipment to help with the presentation. Equipment in this picture comes from the collections of
Brad Wise and David Brubaker

The helicopter made for an impressive exhibit. Tony Jancosek from theKMMH mans the table

Jay Schlereth (L) and Dave Brubaker (R) speak to a Vietnam era Veteran about his experiences and our exhibit

The helicopter had a battle ready look to it

The freshly restored nose section was a good sign of some if the progress the restoration is making

We had two candidates petition for membership to the Patrol, but they did not meet the uniform requirements.

The Last Patrol was able to partner with the Huey Project of the Kansas Museum of Military History and ride with them in the Old Settlers Parade in Mulvane, Kansas.

With that mission in mind we began equipping the chopper.

Just outside of Mulvane we stopped to pick up team member Jay Schlereth and we discovered we had a loose rotor! Our tie down had broken, so we effected repairs on site.

Bob Wilson climbed up to snag the trailing rotor so we could lash it back down.

Patrol members Dave Brubaker (L) and Bob Wilson (R) getting ready for the ride.

Patrol member Brad Wise took a turn at the controls, manning the Pilot’s seat.

Patrol member Jay Schlereth (L) and Gary McBeath (R) along with one of the regular Army troops who were in the Bradley Fighting Vehicle just ahead of us.

Huey Project member Randy Hughes in the Co-Pilots seat.

Members of the Last Patrol in a post parade pose

On the parade route, Huey Project member Steve Canaby is at the wheel of the tow vehicle.

While loading up for the trip to Mulvane, a neighbor came over in uniform and asked if he could pose with the chopper for old times sake.

(L-R) Steve Canaby, Randy Hughs, Cahn, David Brubaker, Gary McBeath, Bob Wilson

L-R John Bierens, Gary McBeath, Jay
Schlereth, David Brubaker, Bob Wilson, not in photo Brad Wise

Just some of the weapons we displayed

Uniforms by John Bierens and equipment by Jay Schlereth

We included in our display a small munitions dump

Equipment on this table provided by David Brubaker

U.S. Navy equipment, commo gear and all the other neat goodies from the Brad Wise collection

Brad Wise found a fellow Navy man to visit with.

The Last Patrol’s first
encampment

9/29-30-2007

The Last Patrol is a living history group which has undertaken the mission of informing the public about the vehicles, equipment and lifestyles of theVietnam soldier.  To that end, the Patrol has committed to creating encampments, like the one you see here, as a medium for the exhibition of the equipment and a backdrop to the members of the patrol who strive to maintain the history of the Vietnam conflict in detail.  Each encampment is named for a different Kansas Vietnam
Veteran who served his country with distinction.  This encampment is named Camp Bird in honor of Captain Samuel
Bird. 

Captain Bird was the Old Guard detail commander for the funeral detail of President John F. Kennedy.  In Vietnam, while
serving with Bravo Company, 2^nd/12^th Calvary, 1^st Cavalry Division, he was renowned for his commitment to his troops. 
He constantly put the welfare of his men ahead of his own.  On January 27, 1967, his last day in country and his
27^th birthday, he was severely wounded during a helicopter assault.  Captain Bird suffered through 17 years of pain related to his injuries.  On October 18, 1984, Captain Bird succumbed to his wound and passed away. 

Camp Bird is dedication to this soldier’s memory.

Out of the dark looms our latest creation.  A twelve foot tall guard tower bearing the name of the camp.

Some shots of our command tent

Aid Station

Our Air Unit, courtesy of the Kansas Museum of Military History

And then there was the Motor Pool component of the camp

Communications