The Liberty War Bird Association (LWBA) flew Huey 823, a fully restored Vietnam UH-1H helicopter, in support of the annual Corporal Brandon M. Hardy Memorial Fund motorcycle ride on July 17.

Hardy and two of his fellow Marines died on April 28, 2006, in Iraq while serving as crew members on an AMTRAC. His parents, Warren and Jill Hardy, initiated the memorial fund in their son's name shortly after his death.

A total of 240 motorcycles departed Gap at 9 a.m. and returned to the same area at approximately noon. Huey 823 departed Lancaster Airport, flew directly to the site of Brandon's grave at Calgary Monument Church in Paradise and slowly circled the cemetery three times. Huey 823 then flew the same route as the motorcycles to the landing zone where the ride would end, and the helicopter arrived just before the motorcycles.

The motorcycle ride was a fundraiser for the Corporal Brandon M. Hardy Memorial Fund, which awards $1,000 to service members who have completed basic training. These funds can be used at the discretion of the new recruits for various purposes, including for transportation home while they are on leave. Anyone interested in supporting the fund may contact Jill at 610-416-3057.

LWBA is nonprofit organization of veterans with the mission of educating the public on the crucial role played by the UH-1 series of helicopters in the Vietnam War. Huey 823 has flown numerous missions in support of veterans' and patriotic events, including a visit to the Coatesville VA Medical Center.

There are only about 10 fully restored Hueys in the US. Huey 823 looks now as it did when it flew combat missions for the 170th Helicopter Assault Company in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. It bears the repaired bullet holes as proof of service.

Anyone interested in supporting the LWBA may contact Chuck Bechtel, the public affairs officer, at 717-756-0643 or chuckbechtel@verizon.net.