• From left, retired Marine Maj. George Ogle, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Laren Ogle, Ivette Ogle and Army veteran Peter Bie, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 28. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • VVA chapter president Peter Bie speaks at the March 28 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony at Break Time Sports Lounge in Goleta. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • Army veteran Dana Steele shows off a Vietnam War combat vehicle, a revamped Volkswagen bug, to San Marcos High School senior Travis Brashears. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • A 1969 Huey helicopter that flew in Vietnam was on display in Goleta. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • VVA chapter president Peter Bie addresses the crowd. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • Camouflage netting provided shade. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • Donations are needed to “Save the Huey,” a Vietnam Wa-era Huey helicopter that lives in Santa Barbara. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • Army veterans Mark Williams, left, and Hap De Simone at the chapter booth. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • $25,000 is needed to replace glass and paint to preserve the Huey helicopter. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • Kelsey and Cathy Matter sold Huey helicopter T-shirts. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • From left, Hazel Blankenship (CIA Saigon 1968-1969), John Blankenship, Sgt. Mario Pintor and Sgt. Gabriel Lopez. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)
  • Lifetime VVA member Bill Frieburg, left, with Army retiree Gerry Roberson, who is trying to preserve the Huey. (Rochelle Rose / Noozhawk)

Bill Macfadyen is Noozhawk’s founder and publisher. Contact him at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com, and follow him on Instagram: @bill.macfadyen. The opinions expressed are his own.