Bitter cold temperatures Saturday morning didn't keep many people from turning out to get an up-close look at a Marine helicopter that landed at the Hickory Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6166 in Hermitage.

The helicopter, a UH-1 Huey, landed next to the VFW.

Mike Grand, Farrell, said he used to work as a crash rescue firefighter on an Army base in Alabama and wanted to see the helicopters. He brought along his godson Anthony Shebeck, also of Farrell.

What brought Mark Autterholt of New Wilmington to Hermitage with his kids, Morgan, 4, and Riley, 6?

"It wasn't the weather," Autterholt said. He said he wanted his children to see the helicopter and it was something to do. "Since this cold stretch has hit it's kept everybody inside," he said.

Bill O'Marrie of Hermitage said he's never been up close to a helicopter and wanted to see one in person.

Memories were what brought veteran Doug Kritz, West Middlesex, out to see the helicopter. Kritz said he flew helicopters during his two tours in Vietnam and wanted to reminisce Saturday.

Veterans Jim McCune, Sharpsville, and Harold Wooten, Hermitage, didn't fly helicopters during their service in Korea and World War II, respectively. McCune said he wanted to see the helicopter, and the cold wasn't a deterrent. "It was cold in Korea," he said.

Wooten, who works at the Hickory VFW on Saturdays and stuck around to see the Huey, said he was surprised at how many people turned out in spite of the cold weather.

The Marines Beaver Mall Unit 140, Monaca, Pa., brought the helicopter in. Private First Class Kyle Imbrogno said they also brought a group of "pooles," young men and women who are waiting to go to boot camp.