Vietnam-era Huey helicopter is placed at Veterans Park in Las Cruces

Dozens of Vietnam veterans gathered Tuesday morning at Veterans Park in East Las Cruces to watch the installation of a Vietnam-era Huey helicopter.

The helicopter, weighing approximately 4,000 pounds, was taken from the War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, put on a special trailer and brought to Las Cruces, where it was mounted above the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Monument.

Two cranes were required to lift and place the chopper atop a 25-foot pillar.

It took nearly 2 1/2 hours to place the helicopter at an angle to simulate flight.

The total cost of the monument was $200,000, which way paid for by a mix of contributions.

The monument has been 9 years in the making and was designed by Joe Martinez. It will be dedicated at 10 a.m. March 26.