Vietnam Veterans to host book signing with their Vietnam War helicopter

For immediate release

Aug. 29, 2024

 

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The crew that flew missions during the Vietnam War in the Huey Helicopter now located at East Marion Park will come from all over the country to reunite alongside it for a book signing. 

Thomas Feigel, crew chief and Purple Heart recipient, authored and released Super Slick: Life and Death in a Huey Helicopter in Vietnam earlier this year with writer Larry Weill. Feigel will return with his crew from 1- 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Marion County Vietnam Veterans Memorial at East Marion Park to sign books for the public and pay homage to the craft responsible for safely bringing him and his crew home to their families.  

The book, named for the helicopter’s call sign, can be purchased in advance on Amazon. Pictures with the crew and Huey helicopter are encouraged, weather depending. 

“Tom was able to find where Super Slick ended up — right here in Marion County ” Linda Longstreth, Marion County Commissioner, said. “It’s amazing that he, his crewmates and the helicopter all made it out of Vietnam. We’ll get to see history pieced back together when they meet again Sept. 15.”

Each crew member contributed to the book and included Captain John Leandro, platoon leader; Randy Olson, aircraft commander; Dana Brown, aircraft commander; Tom Wilkes, door gunner; Rob Sandwith, door gunner; and Ray Smith, Navy SEAL. 

“Parts of this book were very personal and very emotional to write,” Feigel said. “My crew and I rode our ship into battle every night, engaged in many fire fights and experienced the unthinkable. We were together for only seven months, but the bonds formed in battle are everlasting.”

Few books will be available for purchase, so interested attendees are encouraged to bring a pre-purchased copy to get signed by the author and crew members. All proceeds go to Towers to Tunnels Foundation, an organization committed to ending veteran homelessness nationwide. 

The rain location will be the Marion County Convention and Visitors Center located near the park. 

Feigel and the crew will also sign books from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Barnes and Noble at University Town Center in Morgantown. 

The Convention & Visitors Bureau of Marion County, Inc. is a nonprofit marketing organization whose sole purpose is to take the leadership role in developing the area’s tourism industry and advancing Marion County as a vacation, group tour and meeting destination. To learn more about Marion County, visit MarionCVB.com. Keep up with the latest events on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok by following @MarionCVB. 

 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Leah Smith 

Executive Director

Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau

304-368-1123; leah@marioncvb.com