Greensburg display honors helicopter pilots, crew members who died in Vietnam War
Richard “Wilkie” Wilkinson's work to refurbish a helicopter memorial motivated those who knew him to finish the job he started years ago.
“He'd be very impressed,” said the Vietnam veteran's longtime friend, John Best of Greensburg. “He'd be crying wherever he's at.”
Wilkinson enlisted the help of friends and fellow veterans in the past few years to refurbish the Army helicopter display along a walking track at Lynch Field Complex in Greensburg. After Wilkinson died May 13, Tim Simkovic, 17, of Hempfield took over leading the project as a way to honor Wilkinson and earn his Eagle Scout badge.
On Sunday, the improved memorial was officially dedicated.
About 50 veterans, relatives and friends gathered at the memorial that honors helicopter pilots and crew members who died serving in the Vietnam War. Many, including Simkovic's fellow Boy Scouts in Troop 405, helped Wilkinson and later Simkovic refurbish the helicopter and add a flagpole, small walkway, lighting and shrubs.
“I knew him, and that's what he wanted,” said Simkovic, a senior at Hempfield Area High School. “It's a good project.”
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 Honor Guard raised an American flag during the ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”
Wilkinson joined the Air Force in 1966. A decorated sergeant, he maintained aircraft and later became a door gunner, said G.C. Klekner of Post 33.
Tom Cullen of Greensburg and Rich Gendek of Carbon helped Wilkinson clean up the memorial last summer. The men belong to Amvets Post 88, where Wilkinson was a member.
“It looks awesome,” Cullen said before the ceremony. “It's because of him is why we did it.”
Wilkinson was a Greensburg City police officer for 21 years, earning the rank of captain. He enjoyed fishing and regularly took trips with friends who shared the hobby to Canada and around the area.
The Simkovic family knew Wilkinson from those fishing trips.
“I think ‘Wilkie' would be proud,” said Lauren Simkovic, mother of Tim Simkovic.
Renatta Signorini is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-837-5374 or rsignorini@tribweb.com.
