FAYETTEVILLE [KFSM] - A Siloam Springs woman donated her late father's lifelong project to the Arkansas Air Museum--- a Vietnam War era helicopter that her father bought, restored and loved for years until his passing in 2000.
Robin Lundstrum's father was a Vietnam Army pilot, and after retiring as a major, he bought the skeleton of a 1956 CH-21 and rebuilt her to her glory.
"It took a lot of work, a lot of Vietnam vets would come on their vacations and spend their vacations in Springdale working on this helicopter to get it running." Lundstrum said.
On Friday afternoon (Oct. 31), the helicopter took its last flight ever from Springdale to Drake Field with Lundstrum in the cockpit.
"It was emotional, once we landed I was a little teary but it's the right thing at the right time and there's a time and a season for everything," she said.
Her father Max Hall passed away 14 years ago, and Lundstrom said she knew the day would come when she would donate the helicopter. She said she wants her dad's memory to live on at the Arkansas Air Museum.
"This is a very emotional and difficult time, it's like burying him all over again, but it's an honor to give this to the museum," she said.
In a ceremony Saturday (Nov. 1), the CH-21 was given to the Arkansas Air Museum where it will be on display for visitors to enjoy. Several Vietnam veterans came to the dedication.
"The most important thing is that it's in memory and honor of my dad, and and honoring the Vietnam veterans who really sacrificed so much in honor of this country and are often times overlooked," Lundstrum said.
The Arkansas Air Museum is open from 11-4:30 Monday through Friday and on Sundays. It opens an hour earlier on Saturdays.