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News & EventsMineral Wells, TX
October 30, 2000
[PRINTABLE VERSION - PDF]Premiere a Success
On Sunday, October 29, 2000, The National Vietnam War Museum hosted a benefit premiere of the documentary Flight Line: The Army Helicopter Pilots of Vietnam. Narrated by Harrison Ford, the film is based on personal interviews with Army aviators relating to their Vietnam War experiences. "This was a historic occasion for us and Fort Worth," said Charles Bogle, President of the museum.
The event, held at the Scott Theatre, 3505 W. Lancaster Avenue, in the Fort Worth Cultural District, was attended by over 200 people, and raised almost $10,000 for the museum.
"We had a lot more going on that day as well," Bogle said. "The program for the day began at noon, with helicopter and memorabilia displays, provided by Rattler/Firebird Association. That part of the program was free and many families came out to see the displays, undeterred by the day’s intermittent rain showers. Starting at 2:30 p.m., several authors of books about the Vietnam era were on hand to sign their works and talk with the attendees, including B. G. Burkett, author of Stolen Valor, and Bob Mason who wrote Chickenhawk. Mason is also the film's executive producer," Bogle added.
"The museum board, friends, and volunteers were very excited about the opportunity to present this film to the public," said Edd Luttenberger, the museum’s communications director. "This was a chance not only to tell the story of the helicopter pilots and what they did in Vietnam, but also to introduce people in the metroplex to the National Vietnam War Museum. It also allowed us to express some of the things we plan to do as we build this national museum in North Texas. It was another step in the long road toward making this museum a reality."
In addition to support provided by the members of the museum Board of Directors, the Friends of the Museum operated the museum gift shop at the premiere and arranged for the hors d’oeuvres that accompanied the authors’ reception. The Fort Worth ISD Jr. ROTC provided the color guard, ushers, and other crowd control assistance. Support for the production of the documentary was provided by several private companies. Notable among these were Bell Textron, Sikorsky Helicopters, Boeing Aircraft, and Legend Airlines.
Following the premiere, videotape copies of the documentary were available for purchase, and can now be ordered from the museum, along with other items of museum merchandise.
Donations collected at the premiere, for ticket and merchandise sales, go to benefit The National Vietnam War Museum, a Mineral Wells, Texas 501 (c) (3), non-profit corporation.
The following is a full list of the authors who participated in the premiere’s authors’ reception. Most of their works are available for purchase through the museum.
B.G. Burkett Stolen Valor
Chuck Carlock Firebirds
Bruce Carlson Red Bird Down
David Freeman The Jesus Nut
Charles Holley The Helicopter War: A Primer
Bob Mason Chickenhawk
Patience Mason Recovery From the War
Lee Westbrook The Broken Sword
