OKEECHOBEE — On Memorial Day 2025, the Okeechobee community was privileged to view the makeover of the Veteran's Park Huey.

Though it has been in the park for many years, it has only been recently that the helicpoter has been the victim of vandals. Each time, the damages were repaired, but finally, local veterans decided enough was enough, and the helicopter was taken to an undisclosed location to be repaired and also painted to reflect its heritage as a Red Cross chopper.

The helicopter was present for the Memorial Day ceremonies but will not be back in  the park permanently until the custom pedestal is complete.  

In two months, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the chopper will be mounted approximately 10 feet above the heads of any would-be vandals.

For months, local business owners have donated, time, money and services to help get the helicopter in perfect shape for its return.

Gregg Maynard, who is not only a local veteran but is also well known for his service to the veteran community and to Veterans Park, spoke during the Memorial Day ceremony. He said if not for choppers like the Veterans Park Huey, many veterans would not have made it home. Maynard said people often tell others not to celebrate on Memorial Day, because it is a day of mourning, but Maynard asked the crowd if they really thought those veterans who died in service to their country would want us to be sad. "I don't think so," he said.

The Sons of the American Revolution presented the Colors before the ceremony, and RJ Sandefur sang the National Anthem.

Several community members, June and Bill Dillehay; Rosemary Parker and American Legion Post 64, brought their own military vehicles to the park and even allowed children to climb in and pretend they were driving.

A few minutes after the ceremony ended, a Huey flew over the heads of the crowd in a gesture of respect for the fallen.

[All photos by Cathy Womble/Lake Okeechobee News]