Gifts from a journey in a Vietnam-era Huey

Austin American-Stateman ^ | Feb 8, 2005 | Brad Buchholz

[ladtx]

Gifts from a journey in a Vietnam-era Huey

Austin's Cheryl and Pat Fries gambled everything on a dream film project and came away with the kind of fulfillment that is greater than money or fame.

Sarah Beal

(enlarge photo)

Pat and Cheryl Fries finished editing 'In the Shadow of the Blade' in the summer and the movie will have its television premiere Thursday on the Military Channel.

By Brad Buchholz

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

For the past five years, Pat and Cheryl Fries of Austin have gambled everything on a movie their own movie. It's the project of their lifetime, a feature-length documentary called "In the Shadow of the Blade." At its focus: the Vietnam War.

The Frieses' objective was to tell a human story about Vietnam veterans by flying a vintage UH-1 "Huey" combat helicopter across America in a journey of reconciliation. From the beginning, the husband-and-wife team had such strong faith in their documentary and the creative idea behind it that they loved it almost like a child. They spent money on it, boldly. And they allowed themselves to dream:

Maybe someone in Hollywood will discover it and put it in theaters. Maybe it will air on PBS. Maybe, just maybe, it will even make some money. . .

On TV

• 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m. Friday
• The Military Channel, formerly Discovery Wings; (channel 236 on Time Warner digital cable in Austin)

Video

• Clips from 'In the Shadow of the Blade'

From Statesman.com archives

The sound you never forget:

[ladtx]

Thought any Vietnam Vets might be interested in this. I haven't seen it yet a buddy of mine has and says it doesn't leave a dry eye in the house.

[ladtx]

Ping to any vets out there.

Tonk can you ping your vets list please.

ladtx

[ladtx]

Drat. Just checked my links again, you gotta register.

Here's a good link. IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE

[ladtx]

Pinging to something you may be interested in.

[Ben Hecks]

Thanks for the post! Freeper Vietnam vets may also be interested in a series of events honoring Vietnam vets to be held in Branson, MO, June 13 - 19.
Here is a link to their website which has details:

http://operationhomecomingusa.com/

[Arrowhead1952]

Thanks. I was intending to post this today s well.

[ladtx]

I've watched the clips from the website and it looks very interesting.

[Infantry Grunt 1968-69]

Listen and remember. Welcome Home!

http://www.helicopter.org/hueyride.htm

[Diver Dave]

Saw the title and immediately thought to ping you.

gonna go program my Dish receiver.

Salute!

[bannedfromdu]

When the last Blackhawk is airlifted to the junkyard, I sure it will be a Huey carrying it.

[ladtx]

I agree. This is the one I was assigned in Vietnam. Don't know its fate, it was turned over the the South Vietnamese shortly after I left.

[ladtx]

Another picture taken from the office.

[FlyLow]

If you want to know what happened to a Huey or a Pilot, go to: http://www.VHPA.org

The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association has over 10,000 members and has the most complete data base on the Vietnam War Helicopter History available. Also, some wonderful sounds and photos.

[ladtx]

I've been a member off and on for a while. The sounds from Vietnam makes for some good listening. Here's a link from my old unit. It's got some recordings that bring back some old memories. 336th Warriors audio

[DoorGunner]

Here is a nice review of the film:

 

http://www.vva.org/TheVeteran/2004_07/feature_shadow.htm

 

DG

[Professional Engineer]

PING

[DoorGunner]

Another place for crew information.

 

DG

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Tonk can you ping your vets list please.

ladtx

PING!

[ken5050]

Thanks for posting...seems to em, if they sell DVD's of the film, they have a huge audience. I'll buy one for my library. If you find out where they're available..let us know..thanks..

[StarCMC]

BTTT!

Gotta set the Tivo....