‘I Feel Closer to My Brother’: Families of Fallen Helicopter Pilots Unite with Veterans to Heal

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Gold Star Families sit together at the Gold Star Families Breakfast, part of the VHPA reunion. August 26, 2015.

“I feel closer to my brother.”

Julie Kink held back some tears as she addressed a crowd of more than 100 Gold Star families on the morning of August 26, 2015. Kink is the sister of U.S. Army Warrant Officer (WO) David Kink, who died in 1969 when his scout helicopter crashed. He was 19 years old.

The week of August 24 began pretty remarkably in Washington, D.C. The Marriott Wardman Hotel was hosting more than 1,000 Vietnam veterans and families for six days as part of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association‘s (VHPA) annual reunion. Energetic and vibrant, veterans lit up as they hugged one another, told stories of training camp and of their favorite flight mission.

As part of the reunion, VHPA hosted a Gold Star Families breakfast. Brothers, sisters, nephews, sons, and daughters opened up about their personal loss. As they began introducing themselves and sharing stories, you could feel a profound sense of healing.  Everyone shared the same tragic experience, losing someone to war. Here, they were not alone.

This year was particularly special. 2015 marks 50 years since the beginning of the Vietnam War.

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Flowers assembled for the Gold Star Families breakfast on August 26, 2015.

As Julie Kink finished making opening remarks at the Gold Star Families breakfast, she began passing the mic to the loved ones of the fallen. For many, it was not only their first time at this event, but their first time sharing how the war shaped their lives. One by one,  a family member stood. A woman rose to remember her brother.

He was “handsome,” “humorous,” and “very smart.” After he died, she was never the same. Tears wallowed in her eyes as she continued to open up to a room who understood her, more than 40 years later.

Towards the end of the breakfast, the sister of U.S. Army 1LT Eric V. Pulliam grabbed the microphone from Kink. Her voice strong and proud, she smiled through her carefully chosen words. “Because of Eric,” she said, “we strive to support this country and love it.” Pulliam had died four weeks after a helicopter crash in 1969. Pulliam’s fellow pilot and mechanic were also killed. Everyone learned that he loved politics and art. He had gone to college and he was adamant about serving his country. It inspired his family to “continue to serve [America] as good as” him.

The VHPA membership is strong, totaling more than 15,000 members. 40,000 helicopter pilots served in the Vietnam War and more than 5,000 were killed.

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A Huey helicopter is placed outside the Marriott hotel in Washington, D.C. where the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) was staying for their annual reunion.

At this year’s reunion, two Bell-UH1s, better known by its nickname, “Huey,” were placed outside of the Marriott hotel. Excited guests were eager to take pictures. Veterans sat out front, answering questions and keeping a leisurely watch.

The Huey was truly a workforce – a protective a force. It dropped off soldiers in the battlefield and offered faster medical evacuations. It gave so many heroes the opportunity to do extraordinary things. The Huey helped coin Vietnam the “helicopter war.” Trauma surgeons and nurses saved more lives, due to the Huey picking up injured soldiers and turning them over to hospitals more efficiently.

A wreath is laid in front of the tree dedicated to fallen crew members and helicopter pilots of the Vietnam War in Arlington National Cemetery.

On Friday, August 28th, the VHPA made a very solemn tribute to the more than 500 helicopter pilots buried at Arlington National Cemetery, sacred ground for America’s heroes. They held a tree dedication ceremony in memory of those who gave their lives.

Bob Hesselbein, President of the VHPA spoke of the valor, dignity, and humility of those he served with.  Keynote remarks were made by  retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Carl H. McNair. Kink also shared a few words about her brother, the relationship she has with other Gold Star families, and the fulfilling support VHPA has given her. Following the ceremony, a wreath was laid.

Hueys flew overhead. Their loud, thumping sounds resonated with the veterans. Many stopped, looked up and pointed towards the sky as they shouted, “I’ve heard that sound before!”

David Kink, with his family, his younger sister Julie on the right.

David Kink, before he fell in 1969, with his family. His younger sister Julie on the right.

It is a big family,” Kink recalled when asked about the support the VHPA gave her. “The units cross adopted us.” Today, the veteran helicopter pilots refer to Kink as a “little sister.”

In a remembrance left for her brother, Kink said, “I still don’t remember my brother’s voice . . . how long his fingers were . . . how his flight jacket felt. But I’ve learned about my brother and his service in Vietnam by finding his fellow aviators . . . the pilots who shared his last mission, and the families of those who also died. Today, I know not only how David died, but more importantly, how he lived. ”

Today, she is married to a Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient saying, “Vietnam took a lot away from me, but it gave me a lot.”

To learn more about the VHPA, click here.

Category : Families, Lessons From War, Special Projects, Stories of Service, Vietnam Veterans, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans