Published May 18, 2015 by

Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary visit the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City

After most of the film crew headed home to the U.S., Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe, along with the film’s director, Norm Anderson, spent a couple days in Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) filming remembrances of their previous 2 weeks in Vietnam. After visiting the 6 different cities/bases where Dorset and Mary had been stationed 46 years ago, and unfortunately not finding many of the physical locations they once knew, they visited the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City to gain a more direct, physical connection to their experiences in Vietnam.

Thanks to the assistance of the crew’s translator, Dorset and Mary were provided special access to the museum’s exhibits while it was closed. This allowed us to film very special and intimate moments of these women experiencing the history on display, which we believe will make for an important part of our documentary. Our Dollies also viewed the numerous pieces of military equipment on display on the grounds of the museum, including a Bell UH-1 Huey Helicopter, a Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter, a Northrop F-5 Fighter Jet, a D.7E Bulldozer, and several tanks.

Below you’ll find 11 photos in total – All photos credited to the Donut Dollies Documentary Team

Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe standing in front of a Bell UH-1 Huey Helicopter at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe standing in front of a Bell UH-1 Huey Helicopter at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe standing next to a Northrop F-5 Fighter Jet at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe standing next to a Northrop F-5 Fighter Jet at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Cross Donut Dollies Mary (Blanchard) Bowe standing in front of a Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
Red Cross Donut Dollies Mary (Blanchard) Bowe standing in front of a Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
A Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
A Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
A Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
A Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tank on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
A tank on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tank on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
A tank on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tank on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
A tank on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A D.7E Bulldozer on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
A D.7E Bulldozer on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA Bell UH-1 Huey Helicopter BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter Chinook CUMMINGTON D.7E Bulldozer Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY F-5 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER HO CHI MIN CITY Huey jet MASSACHUSETTS military equipment Northrop F-5 Fighter Jet RED CROSS Saigon SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ tank tanks Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War War Remnants Museum WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published May 16, 2015 by

Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary visit a rice paddy in Pleiku

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

View of a terraced rice paddy strew with sunlight and showing the farmer’s shack at the left side of the image
View of a terraced rice paddy strewn with sunlight and showing the farmer’s shack at the left side of the image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of a path running through the lush green of the rice paddy
View of a path running through the lush green of the rice paddy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dorset and Mary off in the distance of the rice paddy
Dorset and Mary off in the distance of the rice paddy

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS Pleiku RED CROSS rice paddy SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published May 15, 2015 by

Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary reach Pleiku in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

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

Welcome to Pleiku, Vietnam sign
Welcome to Pleiku, Vietnam sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Cross Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson captured in an introspective moment at Pleiku Lake, Vietnam
Red Cross Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson captured in an introspective moment at Pleiku Lake, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Cross Donut Dollie Mary (Blanchard) Bowe captured in an introspective moment at Pleiku Lake, Vietnam
Red Cross Donut Dollie Mary (Blanchard) Bowe captured in an introspective moment at Pleiku Lake, Vietnam

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS Pleiku Pleiku Lake RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War volcanic crater WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published May 12, 2015 by

Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary arrive in Quy Nhon

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.

Photos 1 & 3 credited to the Donut Dollies Documentary Team  and photo 2 credited to Angeline Herron

 

Welcome to Quy Nhon City Billboard
Welcome to Quy Nhon City Billboard

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the many amazing views in Vietnam, this one in Quy Nhon
One of the many amazing views in Vietnam, this one in Quy Nhon

 

 

Monument on the grounds of the Quy Hoa National Leprosy Dermatology Hospital
Monument on the grounds of the Quy Hoa National Leprosy Dermatology Hospital

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS Quy Hoa National Leprosy Dermatology Hospital Quy Nhon RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published May 8, 2015 by

Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary leave a message for posterity in Tuy Hoa

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.

Click photos for closer view – Photo 1 credited to Angeline Herron and photos 2 & 3 credited to the Donut Dollies Documentary Team
Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary wrote messages of thanks to Bob and our brave troops on the wall of Bob's Cafe American in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary wrote messages of thanks to Bob and our brave troops on the wall of Bob’s Cafe American in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donut Dollie Dorset's message on the wall of Bob's Cafe American in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Donut Dollie Dorset’s message on the wall of Bob’s Cafe American in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donut Dollie Mary's message on the wall of Bob's Cafe American in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Donut Dollie Mary’s message on the wall of Bob’s Cafe American in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY Bob’s Cafe American CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY friends friends forever HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas Tuy Hoa veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published May 7, 2015 by

Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary view the Tuy Hoa coast and meet a fellow Donut Dollie

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

Gorgeous coastline in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Gorgeous coastline in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woven bamboo basket boats on the beach in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Woven bamboo basket boats on the beach in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary meeting fellow Donut Dollie Wanda Huisman in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam. Wanda served as a Red Cross Donut Dollie in Cam Ranh, Vietnam from 1971-72.
Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary meeting fellow Donut Dollie Wanda Huisman in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam. Wanda served as a Red Cross Donut Dollie in Cam Ranh, Vietnam from 1971-72.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA beach BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY friends friends forever gorgeous coastline HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas Tuy Hoa veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS woven bamboo basket boats

Published May 6, 2015 by

Donut Dollies visit Tuy Hoa – Bumper Cars, Brownies and Friendship

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.

Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson behind the wheel of a bumper car, and being helped by the local children, at the oceanside bumper car park in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson behind the wheel of a bumper car, and being helped by the local children, at the oceanside bumper car park in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donut Dollie Mary (Blanchard) Bowe behind the wheel of a bumper car, and being helped by the local children, at the oceanside bumper car park in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Donut Dollie Mary (Blanchard) Bowe behind the wheel of a bumper car, and being helped by the local children, at the oceanside bumper car park in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's 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
Here’s 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This image captures a moment of a Donut Dollie friendship that has spanned the decades
This image 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

 

 

 

 

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY Bob’s Cafe American brownies bumper cars CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY friends friends forever HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas Tuy Hoa veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published May 4, 2015 by

Red Cross Donut Dollie Dorset Anderson explores Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

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.

Cham Tower in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Cham Tower in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close-up of anti-aircraft bunker in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Close-up of anti-aircraft bunker in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson 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
Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson 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
Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson 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

Photos

31st Tactical Fighter Wing AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas Tuy Hoa Tuy Hoa Air Base veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published April 25, 2015 by

Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary visit Tuy Hoa and Bob’s Cafe American

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.

Welcome to Tuy Hoa City billboard
Welcome to Tuy Hoa City billboard in Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome Back to Tuy Hoa Donut Dollies sign at Bob's Cafe American in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Welcome Back to Tuy Hoa Donut Dollies sign at Bob’s Cafe American in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary with Vietnam Veteran and owner of Bob's Cafe American, Bob Johnston in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam
Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary with Vietnam Veteran and owner of Bob’s Cafe American, Bob Johnston in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY Bob’s Cafe American CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas Tuy Hoa veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published April 19, 2015 by

Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary visit the Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang

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.

RED CROSS DONUT DOLLIES DORSET AND MARY TAKE A MOMENT AT AN INCENSE URN AT THE LONG SON PAGODA IN NHA TRANG

DRAGON STAIRCASE AT THE LONG SON PAGODA IN NHA TRANG

GOLDEN STATUE AT THE LONG SON PAGODA IN NHA TRANG
Dorset 0304 - Buddah statue - HPIM7023
THE WHITE BUDDHA STATUE AT THE LONG SON PAGODA IN NHA TRANG

 

Photos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY Long Son Pagoda MASSACHUSETTS Nha Trang RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS White Buddha Statue