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Daleville Sun-Courier Newspaper
Volume 17 Number 9 Wednesday, October 9, 2002
Front Page continued
Front Page
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The Music of our War
Old Huey pulls pitch as Historic documentary journey begins at Fort
Rucker
by Larry Walker
Sun-Courier Writer
Fort Rucker - Wop! Wop! Wop! The "old Huey" gracefully
lifted off Howze Field at Fort Rucker last Wednesday morning, initiating the
first leg of the cross-country flight of the documentary "In The Shadow of The
Blade".
After two and half years of preparation, "In he Shadow of the Blade" finally
lifted off.
The film is a documentary about taking a restored Vietnam era Huey helicopter
across America to land at many towns along the way to film some of the people
affected by Vietnam, to tell the story of those who served and how they were
affected, directly or indirectly, by the war, who they were and who they've
become.
"This is not about the missions, not about how many battles were won or lost,"
said pat fries, executive producer and film maker. "It's really about how
peoples' lives were changed as aresult of their experiences n the Huey
helicopter.
Retired Army Chief Warrant officer 4 Mike Novsel, of Enterprise, a Huey pilot in
Vietnam and also a Medal of Honor recipient, was the co-pilot on the day of
lift-off. Novosel said he was happy to have the chance to make the trip and that
the concept for the project and the documentary is much welcomed.
"THe one word that describes the Huey in Vietnam
is "ubiquitous," Novosel said "Wherever you were in Vietnam, if you didn't
see it, you heard it."
Novosel flew hundreds of missions and never
failed to make the 'dustoff'. "The Vietnam war would not have been the same war
without the Huey," he said.
Retired Col. Lee C. Smith, of Enterprise, who
last served at Fort Rucker prior to his retirement was the master of ceremony
for the departure ceremony at Fort Rucker's Howze Parade Field last Wednesday
morning. A Vietnam veteran, Smith commanded the 173rd Assault Helicopter
Company, the Robin Hoods, in Vietnam in 1968.
"The Huey is an icon...and it is only fitting of
Army aviation, be the launching site of this mission," Aviation Center Commander
Maj. Gen. Mark Curran told the crowd of military and civilians from Alabama and
beyond who came to witness the liftoff.
Oct. 2 was specifically chosen for the start of
the first leg to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the events that led to
Novosel being awarded the Medal of Honor.
"It was 33 years ago, on this same day, Oct 2,
1969, that Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel...flew 15 extremely
hazardous extractions under intense heavy enemy fire...saving the lives of
29 soldiers," said Curran. This great "dustoff" pilot is here with us today and
will be flying the co-pilot's seat on the first leg of the journey."
The old Huey and her crew will be heading to
Pensacola, Florida for the first hop from Fort Rucker.
Curran introduced the keynote speaker for the
departure ceremony, Joe Galloway, 42-year career journalist with four tours in
Vietnam and co-author of "We were Soldiers Once...and Young," which has been
made into a critically acclaimed movie, "we were Soldiers," starring Mel Gibson.
"Is there anyone here who doesn't thrill to the
sound of the Huey's blades?" asked Galloway. "That wop, wop, wop is the
soundtrack of our youth, the music of our war.'
If you spent time in the battlefields with the
grunts you know that sound. Ask any veteran and they will tell you," Galloway
said, "Thanks Pat Fries for having a dream that turned out so magnificent.
CONTINUED
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