Huey Therapy

[Doc Matson]

I served in Nam from 69-70 in the Americal. I was a combat medic. I suffer from PTSD. I was invited to go on a helicopter ride in a Huey from California to the Wall and back as long as I made a documentary film about it. What I discovered was that a number of vets who saw and rode these helicopters along the way suddenly felt better once they had seen these old birds. Seeing one of the biggest symbols of the Nam War in a safe and secure environment helped some of our guys. Letters came back from families saying how their Dads and brothers had opened up to their families after seeing the copters and that suddenly there was healing taking place.
For me it was the adventure of a lifetime. I had suppressed my feelings about Nam until I rode in the copters, doors open and feeling the wind. I realized how I had reconnected to a part of my life I had denied for decades. The name of the place that has these flying Hueys refurbished to be Nam gunships and Medivacs is Wings and Rotors in Temecula, Ca. The documentary I made was called 'Flight To the Wall'. While I edited it I laughed and broke down and sobbed, but it won some film festival awards for best documentary. It deals a lot with PTSD as I began to understand it as I met sooo many vets along the way and they told me some of their stories.
For anyone in the Temecula area, the Wings and Rotors hangar is at the Murietta airport. The film is hoping to become available with a Kickstarter project under 'Flight To the Wall'.

 

[Ned]

Excuse me if I'm being picky, but if it's won film festival awards why is it not available already? Just asking.

 

[Zipperhead]

So, you have PTSD from Nam? Or are you just here advertising your film? I'm confused.

 

[Ned]

C'mon, give ole' Zip an answer. Nothing on the Wings & Rotors website about this, either, which is odd.....

 

[reddevil1111]

I googled the film and its real and it even looks like it might be worth watching. But we all want to know the reason for posting in here. Are you promoting a film or joining to talk about your ptsd? Trust me we really do want to know.

 

[Doc Matson]

Yes, I am 100%. But all I know is what I saw and what I felt. Making the film was my vehicle to be there.

 

[Doc Matson]

The reason it's not available is haven't put together the funds to get copies made.

 

[Wagon]

All due respect perhaps a good thing for some, but I don't sail on any ship without a giant supply of alcohol on board and I still don't sleep.

Maybe take a few more years.

 

[Ned]

Given the good intentions of Wings and Rotors, why did they insist that you made this film before you could have a ride, and then still deny you any space or a mention on their website?
What, specifically, is your connection with Wings and Rotors? (We can ask them, they ought to remember).
Why was one flight in a restored chopper 'the experience of a lifetime'? I would've thought that the original experience of Vietnam trumped that a bit.
If the film has been made for the good intentions stated, getting it electronically distributable is a no-brainer, surely? And copies cost the price of a DVD.
So many unanswered questions. I think you are confusing us rather than helping us.

 

[JarHed]

Hmm, just no sure about vets feeling good about flying in choppers. I, personally, can't look at one on the ground or in the air without getting a flood of anxiety. As I said, just what happens to me personally, I'm sure it's different for everyone. Had some really bad experiences in choppers.

 

[Ned]

Same here, don't like them. Sound of the turbine spinning up means 'We're off somewhere bad'

O.K. Here's a PS because this is bugging me.

The Kickstart Project:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/153620067/flight-to-the-wall

Why the hell not provide this link in the first place?

 

[Anglesachse]

For me, the sight, sound and smell of a Brit military vehicle puts a smile on my face, and I get a flood of peace and security that covers me.

I could honestly walk around all day, hugging and talking to green machines.

Bad things, yeah they happened, but for me they have and allways will say "We`re here! For you" and dispite the neglegt they get from us, and they shit we make them do, they are allways there for you and get the job they are doing (but probably shouldn`t be doing) done.

When one of the Garrisons out here throws a Flea Market, I am allways there, the misses checking the stands, and me enjoying the sight of a Foden, a Warrior what ever, shit I will even walk around just smelling the air. It is only when we leave that I get the feeling sneak up on me of the BEAST being present.

Like Granpa said, it is different for all of us. For me, my BEAST is shit scared of the Green Machine, and I am glad for it. It is the only time I can realy escape.

Maybe for me it is the "Everything Military" around you that means Safety, something I have never found outside on civvie street.

As foe the film, yeah like Ned says, why not go Viral, get it on the net. That way it would keep your costs down.

But I would honestly suggest that you answer the questions being made. Be a real shame to ban you. Providing you are who and what you say you are.

Maybe even talk to Anthony about putting the film on here for Vets to see. Comes across totaly different than "Hey guys, I have PTSD and have made a film. Give me your money"

tuppence