The war veteran and his aircraft were reunited 30 years later.

"It's a remarkable story," Fries said. "We wanted to fly the 5-0-Deuce and its Vietnam-era crew across America to help tell the story of what Vietnam really was like.

"It's where all the stories would be told from."

But the 5-0-Deuce story is no longer scheduled to be shared in the documentary, "In the Shadow of the Blade."

Former Charlotte County Sheriff Richard Worch originally gave the go-ahead for then-Capt. Carr and his crew to restore the helicopter to its original state. The 5-0-Deuce could then be used for the documentary and for Sheriff's Office duties.

"One of the kindest things you can do is let them use it to recognize those who served," Worch told the Sun this week. "The word comes down to pure courtesy."

But voters showed Worch the door last November and invited William E. Clement into the position of Charlotte County's Sheriff.

And now the story of "In the Shadow of the Blade" has changed.

Veterans across the country are writing letters about Clement's refusal to allow his office's Huey helicopter, 5-0-deuce, in the filming of a Vietnam documentary, "In the Shadow of the Blade."

So why did the current administration back out of the deal?

"'Cause you can't do that," said Maj. Glen Sapp. "We're not in the movie-making business."

Since the production company is expected to earn $2 to $3 million from the documentary, Sapp said, the Sheriff's Office can't participate in a revenue-making civilian project.

"That's just a blatant inaccuracy. That's insulting," said the producer.

If the film generates any revenue, all proceeds are slated for the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's Association, Fries said.

"This is not a Hollywood production company making any money off the film," he said. "That couldn't be further from the truth."

The helicopter was obtained through the GSA and then through the Florida State Federal Property Association, said Director of Aviation Mark Brownie.

When the former Sheriff's Office obtained the helicopter, a specific statement was signed indicating what purposes the chopper will be used for, Brownie said. The helicopter is supposed to be used for law enforcement and public safety purposes, he said.

Shortly after Worch left office, Brownie said he received a call from the head of GSA indicating the helicopter could not be used for the filming of the documentary, Brownie said.

"We'd be more than happy to work out some kind of arrangement if we can get the appropriate blessings," Brownie said.

But the documentary's producer said they've obtained everyone's support, from the Pentagon to various U.S. Senators.

"It seems as though everybody -- with the exception of the Charlotte County Sheriff -- supports this," Fries said.

"In any case, whether we support this documentary or not, it is not our place to tell the Sheriff's Office what to do," said an official from Graham's office.

If the Sheriff's Office authorized usage of the helicopter without the GSA's permission, Brownie said, the office would lose usage of all helicopters.

"That's why we're being forced to be the bad guys in all of this," he said. "Our sheriff decided since compensation was involved, it could not be a mission.

"Any mission that a commercial company comes to the Sheriff's Office and wants to make money off of, casts a shadow of impropriety," Brownie said.

But Worch told the Sun this week that the U.S. Army knew about plans to use the Vietnam-era helicopter in the documentary.

"We (the Sheriff's Office) were going to use it after it had been restored," Worch said. "They knew. The Army liked that idea."

Regardless, many believe the Sheriff's Office's decision to pull out of the project mirrors the political atmosphere surrounding Vietnam.

Carr was employed with the Sheriff's Office for more than 20 years until Clement came into office earlier this year and brought Sapp with him.

During Sapp's reign as Sheriff in the 1980s, he was temporarily suspended on allegations of grand theft. Carr offered testimony during these proceedings in which Sapp was initially convicted of grand theft. His conviction was overturned in 1986.

In addition, Sapp endured a state investigation into his narcotics unit which found mismanagement and misconduct.

When Clement, joined by Sapp, came into office this year, Carr left.

Now Carr and two aviation employees -- who were suspended last week -- may be the target of a Sheriff's Office and State Attorney's Office investigation alleging possible "impropriety in the handling of various helicopter parts, which could be a criminal violation," states a Sheriff's Office press release.

Sapp did not want to comment about Carr or the aviation division, as it is under investigation.

But the documentary's producer said he feels the project is the one suffering from Sheriff's Office politics.

"The 5-0-Deuce is the casualty along the road," Fries said.

In letters, e-mails and phone calls, several veterans said they were planning Vietnam veteran reunions to coincide with the arrival of the 5-0-Deuce's travels across America.

"The Vietnam War was a helicopter war," said veteran Chris White from Maryland. "To have this cut out, I think, is a travesty."

"It's not a helicopter," said veteran Ron Leonard from West Virginia. "It's a symbol for every man who fought in that war.

"This is wrong. It is really, really wrong."

What angers many of the veterans, is that the once-restored Huey now resides in the sheriff's hangar, cannibalized.

After a transmission problem arose, Brownie said, the aircraft was temporarily grounded. The helicopter's engine also had only 30 hours left, he said.

Another helicopter had to take flight by the end of this year or it would be sent back to GSA, Brownie said. Therefore, some of 5-0-Deuce's parts were stripped and used on other aircraft, he said.

Brownie said they have every intention of getting the 5-0-Deuce back up flying but, in the meantime, it is being used for its parts.

While 5-0-Deuce is currently not slated for usage in the documentary, Fries said he did acquire the use of another Huey. But, he won't have Carr's story to go along with it.

"It was something that was done with all the best intentions and done as a living memorial," Carr said. "That's what it's all about."

By CHRISTY ARNOLD