As the nation embraces the ongoing 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War, Peoria, Ariz. is the starting gate for one artist’s effort to honor an icon of that era. Announcing the inaugural exhibition of Take Me Home Huey, a sculptural installation created by artist Steve Maloney from the remains of a historic U.S. Army Huey helicopter that was shot down in 1969 during a medical rescue in the Binh Long province of Vietnam.
Peoria is the first stop on a cross-country tour of Take Me Home Huey, with three days of exhibition and scheduled events to celebrate the historical significance of the Huey helicopter and the passion and purpose that Maloney and his team put into the work.
A multi-media art project, Take Me Home Huey was fashioned from the remains of a Huey helicopter – #174 – that was found in an Arizona boneyard. Maloney has partnered with Light Horse Legacy (LHL), a Peoria based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and USA Vietnam War Commemorative Partner focused on supporting veterans with PTSD. The group acquired, re-skinned, restored and delivered the aircraft to the artist to transform into art for healing. Most importantly, Dave Barron, LHL’s founder, researched the history of this particular Huey and reunited surviving soldiers and families connected to the aircraft. Beyond the sculpture itself, the project also includes a commissioned song, website, and a documentary film.
“It now almost looks like it could fly and stands tall like the colorful ambassador I imagined,” said Maloney. “This project is the proudest thing I’ve done. I am really pleased with the launch for this project. Huey #174 was found in Arizona, Light Horse Legacy is based in Peoria, and Carol Hewitt, the sister of soldier Gary Dubach who lost his life in the helicopter, lives here.”
Added Cathy Carlat, Mayor of Peoria, “When our Vietnam vets see this Huey up close, it’s such a moving experience for them. The City of Peoria is honored to help kick off the tour for this emotional and worthy project that aims to help veterans get assistance with Post-Traumatic Stress.”
Five decades of history and years in the making, the 42-foot-long Take Me Home Huey sculpture will be exhibited at the Rio Vista Recreation Center on 8866 West Thunderbird Road in Peoria adjacent to the city’s Veterans Memorial Wall. The exhibition is scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 5-7, 2015.