Cheryl Fries
Cheryl Fries
When she was in 4th grade, Cheryl Fries read a biography about Clara Barton. The story of the founder of the American Red Cross profoundly affected the young girl, who found in the story of a teacher, nurse, patriot and humanitarian that a woman could do something that could truly make a positive difference for the world.
Thirty years later, Cheryl and her husband Patrick filmed the journey of restored UH-1 “Huey” helicopter “091” on a mission to tell the untold stories of Americans affected by the Vietnam War. The resulting documentary, In The Shadow of the Blade, won wide acclaim—and introduced Cheryl to the amazing women who had followed Clara Barton’s legacy as Vietnam War “Donut Dollies,” traveling to the front lines to deliver A Touch of Home to GIs serving in a dangerous, divisive and faraway war. Cheryl decided that the untold women’s history story of the Vietnam War’s Red Cross girls’ courage, fortitude, and dedication should be captured in a documentary.
Official GIFF Selection: A Touch of Home
