(Maj. Bruce LeMoine congratulates Aurence on a job well done). On March 9th, 10th, and the 11th we were honored to be part of the 091 team. Aurence was able to fly in the co-pilot's seat of 091 and meet a lot of fine Marines at Quantico. What more could a old Marine door gunner ask for? He was truly in Marine Heaven! Photos available

On March 19th, 091 flew over the Vietnam Memorial and Arlington Cemetery as she made her way to the National Mall. Events of the day included a transfer of ownership ceremony and an evening reception. Photos available

Aurence was thrilled to shake hands with Medal of Honor recipient Mike Novesal after the signing ceremony. The flag behind them flew for 30 days over the Pentagon after 9/11.

At Quantico Aurence pins a photo of Danny on 091.

It is a long way from Demorest, Ga. to Washington, DC ( we now reside in Crisfield, Md.). Aurence would have never imagined when Huey 091 landed in our backyard in October of 2002, he would one day be greeting her and the spirit of his fallen friend at the National Mall. Huey 091 became part of our family long before she became famous. She was like a living thing to Aurence and after she flew away he dedicated a quiet place to her at our Georgia river home on the site where she landed.

We knew right away 091 wasn't just any Huey. She was special. Flying 10,000 miles across America to visit veterans and their families for the filming of In The Shadow Of The Blade made her even more special. But her journey did not end there.

091 had a final journey that took her to the Smithsonian in 2004. On March 19th, she made her final landing at the National Mall in Washington, DC. where she was donated to the American History Museum's The Price Of Freedom exhibit. The exhibit opened over Veteran's Day, 2004, and spans from the Revolutionary War to the present day war in Iraq. 091 is the largest single exhibit in the 18,200 square-foot display. Many people have since seen Aurence's name on 091 and found him using an Internet search. People are curious about the White Dog and other painted items on 091.

Before 091's official landing in DC, Aurence and I were delighted to be invited to spend a few days with the crew at the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia. Aurence flew in the co-pilot's seat with Maj. Bruce LeMoine who landed 091 in our yard 2 years earlier. It was a thrill for Aurence to be among his brothers at Quantico, being a part of the historic journey. Besides being asked to co-pilot 091 the Marines treated Aurence like royalty, giving him an HMX presidential patch along with a grand tour that ended with the ride of his life in the Black Hawk simulator.

A bit of trivia: See the Gunny in the top left photo between Aurence and Maj. Bruce LeMoine (Yes, the Gunny from History Channel's Mail Call)? He sat beside Aurence's easel for over a year before 091's arrival, motivating Aurence as a Gunny should. Aurence gave it to LeMoine in 2002 when he boarded 091 for liftoff. The Gunny flew most of the 10,000 miles with LeMoine during the filming of the documentary and many more miles as 091 made her way on her second journey to the museum. Word is the museum wanted it to stay with 091. LeMoine could not part with the Gunny. Another bit of trivia: LeMoine loved 091. No one sat in the pilot's seat but LeMoine! He is still there today. The museum made a mask of his face, a fitting tribute to someone who loves 091 as much as we do.

At Quantico, Aurence pinned a photo of Danny McGee among the sea of squadron patches picked up on the tour. It was emotional for Aurence to have Danny with him at Quantico.

On March 19th, we were in Washington to see 091, "Come home" to America. She will stand for 30 years as a proud symbol for all those who gave their lives for freedom and for all Vietnam veterans who lived and died in an unpopular war.

Veterans who touched and rode on 091 from her time in Vietnam to the present will be able to take their families to the Smithsonian and continue their healings and stories. Aurence, like so many others, is always proud to stand in such a sacred place with his son and grandson (and one day his great-grandchildren) by that great lady. Aurence is also proud to know that Danny's spirit was carried over Arlington Cemetery and The Wall as 091 made her way to the National Mall. What a wonderful tribute to a fallen Marine. Danny is only one of the many spirits on board who will speak for all those who did not return from Vietnam.

Aurence is very humbled by this - the entire mission was about healings and rebirth. He is happy his little White Dog, his protector in Vietnam, also has a place in history. Only those curious enough to take to the Internet know the story but to Aurence White Dog stands for all those who, knowing each day could have been their last, depended on many things to get them back home. Be it religion, lucky charms, or combinations - even small things brought the spirits up. White Dog, ever vigilant, watches and protects.

Welcome Home 091!

Visit America's Huey web site for more photos on 091's final Tour of Duty.

Aurence's signature work on 091. The POW/MIA is surrounded by Aurence's trademarks: His White Dog, a fireball (he calls them, "Messages from 'Nam".) and under his signature the "D" with two hatch marks for Danny.

A proud Aurence readies for liftoff in 2002. After completing his signature work on 091 Aurence and Col. Ben Purcell flew the next leg on 091's journey across several states for the filming. Col. Ben Purcell was a POW for 5 years. He is a good friend and amazing person. Please check out his book, Love and Duty, at Amazon. He co-authored with his lovely wife, Ann. They are working on another book. photo by Sara Beal

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