We’re happy to share a new article on the Donut Dollies Documentary that appeared in the Springfield (MA) Republican. This article features an interview with Donut Dollie Dorset Anderson and provides some new insights into her experiences during the Vietnam War.
Mary and Dorset (in their vintage uniforms) were warmly welcomed at Bob’s Café American in Tuy Hòa, Vietnam. They were both very moved by this gesture, and enjoyed some terrific BBQ!
We are a little over a week into our trip to Vietnam with the Donut Dollies and things are going very well. We’ve met some wonderful people – both Vietnamese and ex-pats – who have been very welcoming and helpful on our quest. We’ll be sharing more photos in the days to come.
AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories RED CROSS Schertz Texas Tuy Hoa veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
While in Nha Trang, Mary and Dorset spoke with a friendly local women in their attempt to locate the villa where the Donut Dollies lived. As this trip is about locating history, they found that sometimes what you’re searching for isn’t on a map, but locked deep within memories. Our journey of discovery continues…
AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories Nha Trang RED CROSS Schertz Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
With the first couple days of filming completed, here’s a first look at Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe on their first trip to Vietnam in 46 years. The first photo shows these longtime friends in Nha Trang and the second shows Mary meeting the local wildlife in Dong Ba Thin. The last photo shows Norm on his birthday as he receives his birthday cake from his mother (these mother and son smiles are priceless). In case you were wondering, happy birthday translates to chúc mừng sinh nhật in Vietnamese. Please check back to see more photos as this once-on-a-lifetime trip continues through Cam Ranh, Cu Chi, Nha Trang, Pleiku, Qui Nhon and Tuy Hoa.
AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Dong Ba Thin Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories Nha Trang RED CROSS Schertz Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
We’re sharing this photo, because it clearly captures a special moment for everyone in the photo. It was taken somewhere in or around Cu Chi in 1968 – 1969, with Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Julie (Pence) Van Matre, and the soldier appears to have the name patch of “Cole”. What’s interesting about this photo, is that on the left side of the background appears to be a damaged bridge with a group of soldiers looking on from the other side at this Donut Dollie photo-op.
AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY Cu Chi CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Julie Pence Van Matre MASSACHUSETTS memories RED CROSS Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Later today, Norm Anderson, the director of the Donut Dollies Documentary will arrive in Saigon/Ho Chi Min City with two Red Cross Donut Dollies, Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe to begin filming their return to Vietnam for the first time in over 46 years. Along with a film crew including Jess Hill (Producer), Joe Cicio (Cameraman) and Angeline Herron (Camerawoman), they will be filming in Cam Ranh, Cu Chi, Nha Trang, Pleiku, Qui Nhon and Tuy Hoa. The mission of this trip is to document the memories of two of the 627 college graduates who volunteered through the American Red Cross to serve our brave soldiers during the Vietnam War.
AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories RED CROSS Schertz Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
In just a couple days, Norm Anderson and his crew will begin filming the return of two Red Cross Donut Dollies, Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe, as they return to Vietnam for the first time in over 46 years. These women, along with 625 other college graduates volunteered through the American Red Cross to serve our brave soldiers during the Vietnam War.
AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories RED CROSS Schertz Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
We’re sharing this photo, because it clearly captures a special moment for everyone in the photo. It was taken somewhere in or around Tuy Hoa, Vietnam in 1969, and features Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Linda (Sullivan) Schulte. We’ll appreciate your help.
Click on the photo to enlarge
The story of the Donut Dollies and our documentary have been gaining wider attention through newspapers around the country. Over the last couple weeks we’ve been excited to see articles featured in the Miami, FL Herald; Raleigh, NC News Observer; Bradenton, FL Herald; Macon, GA Telegraph; Beaufort, SC Island Packet; Columbia, SC “The State”; Lexington, KY Herald Leader; Bellingham, WA Herald; Charlotte, NC Observer; Washington, DC Times; San Luis Obispo, CA Tribune; Northampton, MA Daily Hampshire Gazette; and the Westfield, MA News.
As we prepare to film Donut Dollies, Dorset Hoogland Anderson and Mary Blanchard Bowe, as they return to Vietnam for the first time in 46 years, seeing these articles makes us happy to know that the Donut Dollies story is reaching a much wider audience. You’ll see more posts coming in the next 2 weeks and once the Donut Dollies and our film crew arrive in Vietnam in March, we plan on posting photos every couple days. We ask you to return to our Facebook page or website (donutdollies.com) more often so you can view, share and comment on our posts, and join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
This 3 1/2 minute video is what we used for our successful Kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000 to film the return of two Donut Dollies to Vietnam. A total of 147 donors lent their support to raise a grand total of $26,916 through donations ranging from $1.00 – $5,000.00. This successful fundraising campaign now will allow for principal photography to take place in Vietnam this winter.