Vietnam Veterans honored by MCAS Yuma
A fighter jet gets a facelift as a symbol of appreciation for brothers and sisters in arms - 13 On Your Side's Arlette Yousif reports
EDITOR'S NOTE: Previously, Lt. Col. Gary Fors' last name was misspelled and has been corrected.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - March 29 is a day designated to honor all Vietnam Veterans. Men and women in uniform at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (MCAS Yuma) are doing just that as they come together to honor those who served before them, many of which paid the ultimate price.
Now a fighter jet is getting a facelift as a symbol of appreciation.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 flew more than 2,000 combat missions in the Vietnam War.
Current members of the squadron are painting an F4 Phantom jet used in the war with the original paint scheme, white with blue and white accents with stripes, as a symbol of honor for those who fought in the deadly war.
Although Retired Gunnery Sgt. TC Hultine, who served in the Vietnam War in 1971, was part of a different squadron; the VMA 225 Vikings, he says the tribute is appreciated.
"Well if you're out in the public and you see some of these men who have hats on that say Navy, Marines, Army like that, they'll greet each other. They'll see the ribbons and say welcome home and that's because we didn't get a welcome home," says U.S. Marine Corps Ret. Gunnery Sgt. TC Hultine.
In 2017, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was passed, marking March 29th as a day of remembrance for Vietnam Veterans.
The Vietnam War was not considered an American victory as U.S. troops were pulled out in 1973. Opposing forces took control of South Vietnam in 1975.
"Nine million served. 58,000 paid the ultimate price. Many more continue," explains Hultine.
Hultine is now the commander of the ceremonial team at American Legion Post 19 that pays tribute to all who served and those who never returned.
Lt. Col. Gary Fors, a naval aviator in the VMFA 122 Squadron, lost his life while fighting the war in 1967.
"We're hoping to honor the individual memory of Lt. Col. Gary Fors, who flew this aircraft with our squadron," says U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Luke Josey.
1st Lt. Luke Josey says Lt. Col. Fors was shot down while flying in Laos in December of that year and was declared missing in action.
"By painting his name on the aircraft, under the canopy, and painting the aircraft in a scheme that it would have had in 1967, we're hoping to honor his service to our country, his sacrifice, and his life," explains 1st Lt. Josey.
1st Lt. Josey says he and his team hope to have the jet fully painted by the second week of April 2022.
