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Heroes Hall Speaker Series – The Legacy of the Vietnam Vet: A Helicopter Door Gunner’s Journey

A paved walkway leads to a building with a green roof, surrounded by palm trees and flagpoles with flags—an ideal spot for any Costa Mesa travel blog exploring the Orange County Walk of Honor memorial area lined with stone pillars.

Born in the Dutch East Indies, Frans VandenBroek immigrated to the U.S. in 1960 at age 12 and was drafted into the Army in 1966. He arrived in Vietnam in October 1967, serving with the 68th Assault Helicopter Company based at Bien Hoa, northeast of Saigon. Over his 15-month tour, he logged more than 1,000 combat flight hours, surviving the loss of three helicopters and two pilots to enemy fire and mechanical failure.

When: Saturday, June 27, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Heroes Hall Museum & Education Center
How much: Free admission and parking

When

June 27, 2026–June 27, 2026

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Location

OC Fair & Event Center

88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA