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The Flyover

On a sunny day in June, a flyover of an impressive lineup of Vietnam-era aircraft flew over an attentive crowd gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol. The flyover was part of a special Commemorative event, hosted by Twin Cities PBS as part of The Wall That Heals weekend, honoring Vietnam veterans and families. 

Group of pilots in front of an airplane

The Wall That Heals Flyover Crew at the Anoka Airport

The flyover was coordinated by Vietnam veteran Jerry Kyser, who flew a Huey Helicopter during the war. He coordinated a flight plan and worked with local pilots and Vetnam veterans, to create a moving performance, including a Missing Man Formation.

Man in a Vietnam veteran hat talks to a man and a woman in front of a stone building facade.

Jerry Kyser describes flyover vision to flyover narrator Tom Lymburn and TPT Events Director Donna Saul Millen.

Vintage aircraft preparing for the State Capitol Flyover at Anoka Airport

Vintage aircraft preparing for the State Capitol Flyover at Anoka Airport

Four people in front of a vintage aircraft

Jerry Kyser, Crew Chief/ Vietnam veteran Door Gunner 1968-1970 (center right) with Representative Bob Dettmer (yellow shirt) and others

Group of pilots meeting at a table

Pre-flight planning for the flyover at Anoka Airport

Men in front of a vintage Huey Helicopter

Huey Helicopter crew

Aircraft lined up ready for takeoff

Aircraft ready for takeoff at Anoka Airport

Vintage aircraft preparing for the State Capitol Flyover at Anoka Airport

Vintage aircraft preparing for the State Capitol Flyover at Anoka Airport

Silver vintage aircraft at an airport

Vintage aircraft preparing for the State Capitol Flyover at Anoka Airport

Silver vintage aircraft taking off for a flight

CAF B-25 -1

Vintage aircraft preparing for the State Capitol Flyover at Anoka Airport

Vintage aircraft preparing for the State Capitol Flyover at Anoka Airport

Man in flight suit in front of a Huey Helicopter

Jerry Kyser, Crew Chief/ Vietnam veteran Door Gunner 1968-1970

Man in flight suit talks into a microphone at a public outdoor event.

Tom Lymburn narrated the flyover. Lymburn is an aviation historian and pilot who has narrated over 200 air shows since 1991.

Blue and white airplane in flight

In-flight to the Flyover at the Minnesota State Capitol

Huey Helicopter during a Flyover

Huey Helicopter during the Flyover

Crowd watching the flyover at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Some of the crowd watching the flyover at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Aerial view of the Minnesota State Capitol and Wall That Heals

Aerial view of the Minnesota State Capitol and Wall That Heals

Flyover of aircraft over the Minnesota State Capitol.

Flyover over the Minnesota State Capitol.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE FLYOEVR:

At the very end of the flyover, the distinctive sound of a Huey could be heard overhead, blades chopping- and the crowd was silent. It made it's way over the Capitol, over the crowd, and then turned to The Wall That Heals, in tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and never made it home.

Huey Helicopter in the air

Huey Helicopter during the Flyover

Missing Man Flyover Formation over the Minnesota State Capitol

Missing Man Formation over the Minnesota State Capitol

Four airplanes flying in formation

Airplanes in formation during the Wall That Heals Flyover at the State Capitol

Huey Helicopter hovers over a blue flag at the Minnesota State Capitol.

A Huey Helicopter hovers over the State flag at the Minnesota State Capitol before saluting The Wall That Heals on the Capitol Grounds.

JERRY KYSER

Biographical Details

Story Subject: Military Service

Military Branch: U.S. Army

Dates of Service: 1968 - 1970

Veteran Organization: Twin Cities Honor Flight

Unit: 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION, 1ST AVIATION BRIGADE

Specialty: ARMY UH-1D HUEY HELICOPTER CREW CHIEF/M-60 MACHINE GUNNER

Story Themes: Huey Helicopter, Impact, Jerry Kyser, Memorial, Minnesota State Capitol, Pilot, The Wall That Heals

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