This podcast contains comments from retired Bryan city councilman and retired Vietnam War helicopter pilot Mike Southerland.

A second symbol of the Vietnam War is coming to downtown Bryan.

An anonymous donor has purchased a combat helicopter.

Retired Bryan city councilman Mike Southerland has worked with the donor to bring the helicopter to Bryan from Alabama.

Southerland, who is a retired Vietnam helicopter pilot, says the helicopter will be on permanent display starting Friday afternoon.

Southerland says the donor "just wants to thank Vietnam service members" and "to save it (the helicopter) from the crusher."

The helicopter will be located on North Main Street, north of the roundabout, between 23rd and 24th.

South of the helicopter, is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial behind the Clara B. Mounce library.

Additional information about the helicopter from Mike Southerland:

According to the the Vietnam Pilots Association has provided the following information for Helicopter OH-58A Kiowa tail number 68-16761:

1. Jan 1970 it was assigned to the 7-8 Artillery 23 Group Vietnam
2. Nov 1970 it was assigned to the 605 Transportation Company DS Vietnam
3. Mar 1971 it was assigned to the 173 Aviation Brigade Vietnam
4. Sep 1971 it was returned to the United States for repair
5. Aug 1972 it was assigned to the 101st Airborne 3rd Army Ft. Campbell
6. Jan 1975 it was assigned to 197th Infantry Brigade 1st Army Ft. Benning

It flew a total of 1,736 hours during its Army career and a total combat flight time in Vietnam of 1,458 hours.