Lower Burrell VFW's Vietnam-era helicopter restored with help from Forbes Road students
The Vietnam-era helicopter outside VFW Post 92 in Lower Burrell has been restored thanks to the help of students from the Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville.
Last weekend, students from Forbes’ SkillsUSA chapter partnered with A-K Valley Back the Blue to repaint the helicopter, displayed outside the VFW at 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road.
“This was an incredible opportunity for our students to give back to those who served,” said Josh Krentz, auto body instructor and SkillsUSA adviser at Forbes. “It’s hands-on learning with a purpose: Our students got to apply their technical skills while honoring heroes and building community pride.”
Forbes students come from the Allegheny Valley, Highlands, Penn Hills, Plum, Riverview, East Allegheny, Gateway, Wilkinsburg and Woodland Hills school districts.
Mogie’s Mission, a Lower Burrell-based charity formed in honor of the late David “Mogie” Magill, and the Vinson Pelisari Foundation helped provide the paint and materials needed to restore the helicopter.
“It was a very kind gesture, honoring everyone who puts their lives on the lines for our freedom,” said Ron Balla, president of Back the Blue.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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