On their drive to Pleiku, Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary stopped to get a closer look at a rice paddy. The first photo is of a terraced rice paddy strewn with sunlight and showing the farmer’s shack at the left side of the image. The second photo shows the path running through the lush green of the paddy, and the third photo shows Dorset and Mary off in the distance of the rice paddy.
All photos credited to Angeline Herron
As the first trip back to Vietnam by Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe was nearing its end at the northernmost point, they arrived at Pleiku, which was Mary’s second base assignment over 46 years ago. The first photo is of the Welcome to Pleiku sign, and the second and third photos capture introspective moments of Dorset and Mary as they visit Pleiku Lake.
Photo 1 credited to the Donut Dollies Documentary Team and photos 2 & 3 credited to Angeline Herron
Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary continued up the coast of Vietnam and arrived in Quy Nhon, which was the location of Mary’s third base assignment. The second photo shows one of the many amazing views the Dollies took in while in Vietnam. The third photo shows a monument on the grounds of the Quy Hoa National Leprosy Dermatology Hospital, which also includes a village for patients.
Upon leaving Tuy Hoa, Bob Johnston, the owner of Bob’s Cafe American, asked Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe to sign the wall in his main dining room. Below you can see each message our Dollies left for posterity.
During their visit to Tuy Hoa, Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary took in some beautiful sights. The first photo shows a gorgeous coastline view and the second showing the woven bamboo basket boats on the beach. Dorset and Mary had a pleasant surprise when Donut Dollie Wanda Huisman (Cam Ranh 1971-72) made the trip from Nha Trang to Tuy Hoa to meet them. The third photo captures the moment when Dorset and Mary met Wanda, and although their paths never crossed in Vietnam, they were clearly connected by their service as Red Cross Donut Dollies.
Photo 1 credited to the Donut Dollies Documentary Team and photos 2 & 3 credited to Angeline Herron
One evening while in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam, Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary enjoyed some time with the local children at the oceanside bumper car park. The third photo shows Dorset and Mary, in their vintage Donut Dollies uniforms, at Bob’s Cafe American in Tuy Hoa with a plate of fresh made brownies thanks to the Cafe’s owner and Vietnam Veteran, Bob Johnston. The last photo captures a moment of a Donut Dollie friendship that has spanned the decades.
Photos 1 & 2 credited to Angeline Herron, photos 3 & 4 credited to the Donut Dollies Documentary Team
Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary had a couple days in Tuy Hoa, so they took the opportunity to take in the sights and attempt to locate the places they once knew. The first photo is of Cham Tower, and the second is a close-up of an abandoned anti-aircraft bunker. The third photo shows Dorset walking near the perimeter wall and in sight of the Vietnam War era quonset hut aircraft hangars of what was the Tuy Hoa Air Base, which was home of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing from 1966-70. In the fourth photo, Dorset is shown on her quest to find some remnants of the Tuy Hoa Air Base, but unfortunately she discovered that nearly everything had been torn down over the last 46 years.
The next stop on Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary’s first trip to Vietnam in 46 years was Tuy Hoa. Thanks to the hospitality of expat Vietnam Veteran (’65 – ’68), Bob Johnston, the owner of Bob’s Cafe American, the Dollies and the film crew spent a couple days in Tuy Hoa. The first photo shows the Welcome to Tuy Hua billboard, followed by the Welcome Donut Dollies sign at Bob’s Cafe American, and Dorset and Mary with Bob.
While in Nha Trang, Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary not only visited the beach, but also the beautiful and peaceful Long Son Pagoda, a Buddhist temple. Below are some photos from their visit, the most impressive being of the White Buddha statue, which stands 77’ tall and completed in 1964.
DRAGON STAIRCASE AT THE LONG SON PAGODA IN NHA TRANG
Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe visited Nha Trang next, which was where Dorset was stationed first after arriving in Vietnam, and where Mary was stationed before leaving after her year of service to our brave military men (1968 – 69). Here’s a few of the sights they saw during their first trip back to Nha Trang in 46 years. (all photo credits – The Donut Dollies Documentary Team)
