Hagerstown officials suggest mediator in debate over helicopter at Vietnam War memorial

Dave McMillion, The Herald-Mail
·4 min read

With opinions still divided over a proposal to add a helicopter to a Vietnam War monument in Hagerstown, city officials suggested Tuesday night that a mediator be used to help resolve the issue.

Jim Kline of the Joint Veterans Council of Washington County has been working on a plan to place a full-size Bell UH-1C helicopter at the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial on South Walnut Street.

Because the memorial is in Hagerstown City Park, the request is before the city council for a decision.

The city has received correspondence favoring and opposing the proposal to add the helicopter, considered to be an iconic symbol of the Vietnam War.

A proposal was presented to the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council Tuesday to add a Huey helicopter to the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial, located in Hagerstown City Park along South Walnut Street.
A proposal was presented to the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council Tuesday to add a Huey helicopter to the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial, located in Hagerstown City Park along South Walnut Street.

On Aug. 10, the city received a letter from 10 members of the Historic Heights Neighborhoods 1st group. The organization represents residents on streets close to the monument, including South Prospect and South Walnut streets and Summit Avenue.

Residents said in the letter they have "serious concern" about adding "a large aging chopper" to the monument. They said the monument has already changed the north end of Hagerstown City Park where it is situated with its large bright lights that shine every night.

The residents said perhaps a better location for the helicopter is at a veterans organization or the airport.

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Councilman Kristin Aleshire previously has expressed concerns about how the helicopter would affect views in the park and said he wanted to conduct a balloon test to determine how the aircraft would look in the area.

In the test, balloons are floated at the height of a proposed project to give people an idea of its scale.

A Huey helicopter dubbed "Greyhound" is part of the Yankee Air Museum's collection. It provides an idea of what the proposed addition would look like at the Vietnam War memorial in Hagerstown.
A Huey helicopter dubbed "Greyhound" is part of the Yankee Air Museum's collection. It provides an idea of what the proposed addition would look like at the Vietnam War memorial in Hagerstown.

Although a balloon test was conducted for the helicopter site, Aleshire continued to raise concerns about the idea Tuesday during a council work session. Aleshire said he's concerned about more lighting that might be needed for the aircraft and noted the controversy that has developed over the idea.

"I would have never envisioned it having this much conflict," Aleshire said.

Councilwoman Shelley McIntire said previously she lives across from a Korean War monument on Potomac Avenue and thinks about what kind of precedent the city would be setting by allowing such an addition to a war memorial.

On Tuesday, McIntire sympathized with residents worried about the impacts of the helicopter.

"While I appreciate the memorial and its reverence, I have to focus on the neighbors that live there," McIntire said.

Councilman Bob Bruchey said he's not going to be the person that says no to the helicopter. Bruchey said he's tried to think of an alternative to the helicopter, like asking if local sculptor Toby Mendez, who has created memorials here and in other cities, could come up with an idea.

Kline, who was at Tuesday's meeting, grew increasingly frustrated. If the proposal isn't approved, Kline said, he will look forward to "voting time" when he can present the plan to a new administration.

City Administrator Scott Nicewarner suggested the possibility of reaching a solution outside the city council. He proposed that Kline meet with the Historic Heights Neighborhoods 1st group to see if the two sides can come up with a resolution.

Kline and his wife, who accompanied him to the meeting, said they are open to the idea.

Councilwoman Tekesha Martinez said she knows of a mediator who will work for free to help the two sides.

Nicewarner said he will reach out to city staff to start the process and "see where that goes."

The chopper would be added to the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial that currently contains three pieces. Two pieces feature a historical account of the war and recognize the veterans and military branches that served in the war. A middle piece of the monument — dedicated in 2019 — memorializes 17 county residents killed in Vietnam.

The helicopter would be 57 feet long and mounted on a pylon. It would be empty inside.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Vietnam War memorial plan for helicopter debated, mediator suggested