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Little-known retired Vietnam era UH-1B Huey helicopter keeps vigil over the VA’s Veteran Museum, the VA FARMS gardens and both the Korea and Vietnam War memorials on the VA Portland’s Vancouver campus. Photo by Nick Choy.
Lady Bell, a UH-1B Iroquois helicopter, sits on a pedestal with a fresh coat of paint Thursday during a rededication ceremony at the Vancouver VA Medical Center campus. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
Episode 3116 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how the UH-1B on display at the Vancouver VA Medical Center was restored. The featured story appeared in The Columbian. It is titled: VA rededicates Vietnam War-era helicopter as tribute to veterans. It was submitted by Doug Flanagan, a Columbian staff writer.
Flanagan reported that the Lady Bell, a Vietnam War-era UH-1B Iroquois “Huey” helicopter, has stood as a solemn tribute to veterans at the Vancouver VA Medical Center since 2008. Over time, weather left the aircraft in a deteriorated state—until James Donnelly stepped in. An architect and health care engineer for the VA Portland Health Care System, Donnelly led a remarkable month long refurbishment effort this summer, showcasing exceptional skill and dedication.
Donnelly brought a unique background to the project, having served as an aviation structural mechanic and corrosion-control specialist in the U.S. Navy. When he saw the Lady Bell’s condition, he didn’t hesitate to volunteer, believing he was “uniquely suited” for the job. Under his leadership from early July to August, the team power-washed, sanded, patched, and repainted the aircraft atop its 25-foot pedestal—even braving intense heat and wind. Donnelly also added a new insignia to reflect the helicopter’s medevac mission.
His work culminated in a re dedication ceremony that highlighted the Huey’s renewed purpose: to inspire, educate, and honor veterans’ sacrifices. Interim VA Director Karla Azcuy praised the restoration, calling the Lady Bell “a powerful symbol of service, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of our veterans.”
This marks the second major restoration for the helicopter, originally saved by a veteran-led volunteer team in the 2000s. Thanks to Donnelly’s outstanding leadership and heartfelt commitment, the Lady Bell stands proudly once again—her iconic silhouette reminding all who see her of the bravery and hope she once carried into battle.
Listen to Episode 3116 and discover more about how the UH-1B on display at the Vancouver VA Medical Center was restored.
