A UH1H helicopter flies over the Academy of Richmond County. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

Dennis DuPuis recognized the roar of the UH1H helicopter long before it appeared in the sky above the Academy of Richmond County.

"The sound of the Huey is unmistakable - nothing else sounds like it," said Mr. DuPuis.

The North Augusta resident flew the helicopter for the Army in 1969, during his first tour in Vietnam.

"I met a lot of good friends, (and) lost some friends," he said.

Former Army intelligence officer Cobbs Nixon (left) and former Huey pilot David Fenstermacher look in the helicopter's cockpit. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

Local Vietnam veterans such as Mr. DuPuis gathered at the high school's football stadium Tuesday in hopes of sharing their experiences for the Arrowhead Films documentary In The Shadow of The Blade. The filming began Oct. 2 at Fort Rucker, Ala., and chronicles the relationship between the Huey and Vietnam veterans.

"It's a great helicopter," said Joe Waters of Evans, who piloted the helicopter from 1966 to 1970. "I had 1,350 combat hours and never had a major failure. I got shot down twice and survived them both, but I can't blame the helicopter for that."

Film director Patrick Fries said he planned to offer some of the veterans a ride in the aircraft during filming. He said the project has reached expectations he never imagined.

"The Vietnam vets that have been able to get on that helicopter and share their stories have extremely moving," Mr. Fries said. "The beauty of that is everywhere we go is a little piece that adds to the puzzle."

For Charles Kelly, flying in the Huey helped him understand his father's passion for the helicopter. Maj. Charlie Kelly was killed in Vietnam in 1964.

"It was awesome," Mr. Kelly said about his ride during filming in Columbus, Ga., on Sunday. "It was better than being a bird."

Videographer Jackson Saunders (left) films Vietnam veterans John Rangel Jr. (right) and Wayne Watkins (middle) as the Huey lands. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

Many of the veterans that attended the landing were honored during a small ceremony at the school. More than 1,000 Richmond Academy students filled the stands of their football stadium to hear guest speakers share their stories.

Benjamin H. Purcell, a retired Army colonel from Clarkesville, Ga., told students about his experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam from February 1968 to March 1973.

"You must take life one day at a time, and live that life to the fullest," Mr. Purcell said.

Tiara Chapman, 15, whose uncle Anais Chapman died as a POW in Vietnam, approached Mr. Purcell after his speech and gave him a hug.

"It was very emotional to hear his story," the Richmond Academy sophomore said. "To have the courage to fight for your country and to never give up hope, that was good for me to hear."

Reach Albert Ross Jr. at (706) 823-3339 or albert.ross@augustachronicle.com.