Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
~~s aoo~-~~G <br />c ~- i ~ -~ ~ <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~ ~, <br />RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AND PRESERVE THE <br />NORTH CAROLINA VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION <br />WHEREAS, the North Carolina Chapter of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (NCC-VHPA) <br />was founded in 1989 and the Articles of Incorporation were certified by Secretary of State, <br />Rufus L. Edmisten; and <br />WHEREAS, the goal of the Chapter is "...to promote and perpetuate the bonds of brotherhood that <br />binds a group of men who have shared and survived an experience fraught with danger yet <br />filled with the essence of pride and satisfaction"; and <br />WHEREAS, the Chapter works to preserve and present a part of living history to the public and to <br />schools through its acquisition and display of Vietnam era helicopters, consisting of two <br />LOH' S, a Mike Model gunship, a Cobra gunship, and a Medical Evacuation H-Model lift <br />ship; and <br />WHEREAS, the helicopters have appeared in two Presidential Inauguration Parades and one July 4~' <br />parade in Washington DC as well as numerous events in North Carolina and surrounding <br />states; and <br />WHEREAS, the helicopters have been made available to over 80,000 school children in North Carolina <br />from the mountains to the coast; and <br />WHEREAS, the Chapter is supported 98 percent by the membership with no state or federal funding; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (NCVHPA) has been notified <br />by the Tank-Automotive and Armaments Commands (TACOM) that they are not'a <br />recognized veterans' organization and are not authorized to possess or display these <br />aircraft; and <br />WHEREAS, NCVHPA will need an exception or waiver for the January 2007 deadline to meet required <br />mandates or the helicopters will be removed from the Association; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners do hereby <br />request an exception or waiver from the Secretary of the Army for the North Carolina <br />Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association to continue to function as they have for the past <br />fifteen years, and beseech Congressman David Price to support the historical and patriotic <br />services of the NCVHPA. <br />This the 14~' day of November 2006. <br />i <br />B acob h <br />Orange C t Boat 'ssioners <br />eph . Halkiotis -Vice-Chair <br />Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />