New exhibit at Peterson AFB commemorates 50th anniversary of Vietnam War

“A Hometown Airman Deploys to Vietnam” is the new exhibit at the Peterson Air and Space Museum City Hangar.

The exhibit commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and features the story of Staff Sgt. Jose “Mark” Aragon, a Colorado native, who was killed May 16 , 1965, at Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam.

The exhibit uses Aragon as a connection to the service members at Peterson Field and Ent Air Force Base between 1965 and 1968.

“We want this exhibit to commemorate the contributions of the veterans and their families,” said Gail Whalen, Peterson Air and Space Museum director.

The exhibit opening will include a roll call for the 27 members who died in the Bien Hoa Air Base disaster.

Members of Aragon’s family will be attend the exhibit opening.

The exhibit opens at 10 a.m. Monday. KRDO will be there and will have the full story on KRDO Newschannel 13 at noon.