There’s been a lot of questions regarding the giant military helicopters that have been piercing the air with the sound of freedom for the past two weeks, but when I felt the sound (yes, it’s a feeling) there was no doubt in my mind what it was – they’re CH-53’s, the helicopters my husband flew on as a Crew Chief in the Marine Corps for 8 years!

A couple of weeks ago I got a call in the middle of the day from Bobby with so much excitement – a 53 had just flown over his job site! No freaking way was my response. A couple days later I was standing in the grocery store when I felt the helicopter flying overhead and I couldn’t help but get slightly choked up – I even got goosebumps!

Backstory, if you didn’t already know – my husband Bobby just got out of the Marine Corps on September 13th, 2016 after serving 8 years active duty. We recently moved back home to Maine and started our new life in the civilian world. I couldn’t be more proud of everything he accomplished and experienced in the Marine Corps. After countless trainings, we lived in Virginia first where he was part of the Presidential Squadron and then moved to Cherry Point and New River, North Carolina. We will forever be grateful for the life, family, and opportunities that the Marine Corps lifestyle offered us as well as pushed us forward when that chapter was over.

The CH-53E’s are a massive bird. They are heavy-lift cargo helicopters that can carry up to 55 troops, or, 33,000lbs internally and 36,000lbs externally. It is 99.5 ft long, the rotor diameter is 79ft, it’s over 27 ft tall, and around 33,000lbs empty. It is the largest helicopter in the U.S. Military (clearly). With 3 engines, 7 blades on the main rotor, and 4 blades on the tail rotor, this helicopter can make your walls shake (I know from experience, I had to secure my decorations to the wall when we lived on & near base so they wouldn’t fall off), hence the term “Pardon our noise, it’s the sound of freedom”.

Yesterday we went down the the hanger where they were loading the birds up to head back to North Carolina and we were able to visit the helicopters once more. They were here for cold weather training and we’re hoping this will be an annual trip so we can see them more often 🙂

Below are the photos I took while in the hanger as well as a video at the end that I created for Bobby’s EAS party back in October, 2016!

*The video highlights his career PLUS his personality, so be ready ;)*

Before getting out & heading home I hired a photographer to take photos of us on the flight line – cheesy, I know but I am SO happy we did this! I can’t wait to make prints for our new home!
© Infinite Delight Photography

You don’t realize how big these things are until you compare your size to them!

In the 8 years Bobby served my Dad hadn’t seen the 53’s yet! Yesterday was pretty exciting for him and Bobby loved showing him everything about the helicopters!

See how BIG they are?! *Look at the people on the left standing next to the helicopter!*

We want to thank those that serve our country. We are forever grateful for your service and are 100% behind our troops. Both Molly & I’s husbands served in the military and are huge advocates for supporting our troops!

We hope these guys have a safe trip back to their families in North Carolina.

XO

Victoria