In our Twentieth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Eileen O’Neill tells how being an international relations major and dating a GI prompted her to join the Red Cross SRAO program in Vietnam, how she had her worst scare when the helicopter she was flying in was nearly downed, and how in just 5 days of returning home from Vietnam, she was back at grad school.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted. You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Eileen O’Neill…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) program and want to go to Vietnam?

I had been an undergraduate at George Washington University in D.C. from 1966-70, so I had a front seat to all the demonstrations and discussions about the Vietnam War.  Also, since I was an international relations major, I had a natural interest in foreign policy.  For almost 3 years, I dated a GI who I had met at the end of my freshman year; he was in Vietnam 1968-69.  All of this reinforced my connection to Vietnam.

I actually didn’t know anything about the SRAO program until the summer after I graduated.  I met a woman who was going to Vietnam and thought the program sounded fascinating.  I love to travel and this seemed like a tremendous adventure, with the advantage of letting me see Vietnam for myself.  I interviewed with the understanding that I couldn’t leave school until the end of the semester (I had started my Master’s degree) and was hired for the SRAO class in January, 1971.  I took a year’s leave of absence from grad school and then told my parents.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam?  Did you go by a nickname?

I was in the January, 1971 class, but by the time we got to Saigon after our training it was early February.  My first base was Danang; I was there until the first of July. My second base was Phan Rang Air Base in the center of the country and I was there until the first part of September.  However, in the two months at Phan Rang, I had two TDYs of a week each, one at Bien Hoa (relatively close to Saigon) and one at Binh Thuy in the Delta.  Early in September I moved to Binh Thuy as Unit Director and was there until I left in January, 1972.  I was known as Eileen, and didn’t go by a nickname in Vietnam.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

There was a “routine day” in some units, but there was a lot of variety also.  In Danang, one of our largest units, we had a recreation center and three to four “runs” each day.  Maybe 3 or 4 girls would be in the rec center, putting on pool or pingpong tournaments, playing cards or other games with the guys, or just talking.  We had regular “runs” set up: we’d visit such-and-such unit at a certain time on a certain day, try to get to such-and-such firebase each week or two at a particular time/day.  It was easier to set up a schedule for the units based around Danang; for the firebases, it depended on weather (we almost always flew to them), military action, etc.  On the runs, we’d generally spend an hour or so with the guys doing a program and talking.  The programs were really just an excuse to get the guys to talk with us.  We designed the programs with a variety of components, usually starting with an introductory fast-paced game.  We’d usually try to have a “theme”, which could be anything.  Lots of the programs dealt with sports and music.  Sometimes we’d build a Jeopardy board with questions based on the theme. We found that if we divided the guys into teams, their competitive spirit would draw them in.  They’d often joke about our silly games, but they certainly were willing to try to win.

In Phan Rang, we had only a few runs, so our work was concentrated on our rec center.  We had a small unit, usually about 6 girls.  As in Danang, we had tournaments, a music room, card games, etc.

In Binh Thuy, we had anything but routine days.  The US military in the Delta was gradually drawing down by late 1971, so regular units were fewer and small units of advisors were more common.  We didn’t have a rec center, so we were completely mobile.  We did have some regularly scheduled runs to the units around Binh Thuy and in a few other spots.  Our primary work however was visiting advisor units.  These men were a little bit older than the 18-20 year olds we normally saw. Often, we spent more time just talking to them, perhaps playing cards, visiting the villages near where they worked.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

Most of the time I had that sense of invulnerability that one has at the age of 21. There were a few times when choppers were shot at from the ground – rather foolishly, because we were way too high at the time to be hit.  Same was true of ground vehicles – too far away to really be a threat.  Once we had a fairly long flight in a chopper and the weather was bad…and then got worse.  The chopper was being tossed around; the pilot finally gave up and set us down on a road and waited for the weather to clear enough to fly again (hoping that Charlie wasn’t out there).  One of the worst scares came from a chopper pilot in the Delta.  He was hotdogging and showing off for the Red Cross girls by low-leveling along an old canal.  He suddenly had to pull up very sharply since there was a wire stretched between two trees, a trick Charlie used to down choppers.  His gunners were furious with him.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

A number of girls sprained or broke something while in-country.  I didn’t think of mine as an “injury” per se; that was a term for the guys.  In my case, a Chinook (one of the big double-rotor choppers) took off too soon after letting us off back near our barracks.  It was an old trick pilots used to blow our skirts up in our faces. Unfortunately, it also blew our prop bag, which had an unusually heavy board game in it, into my ankles, sending me head over heels.  I landed so hard that I pulled a muscle off my groin and broke my wrist.  Initially I thought I’d be in a cast for a month; Saigon headquarters agreed to let me stay in-country.  After a month, they found I’d need to be in a cast for another 5 months.  It was a pain in the neck, but it also was a great conversation starter.  Guys would come up and ask me what happened.  I felt very lucky to be allowed to stay in country.

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

It was a mixed bag – for the guys who were doing well, we could talk and joke around; they were always so appreciative. It was much more difficult if the guys were badly hurt; we tried to keep our smiles on, but it would be difficult. We just tried to let them know that we cared, without letting any tears slip out. My worst experience – and the most moving – was in Danang visiting the USS Sanctuary (a Naval Hospital). They were trying to stabilize a few guys so they could fly them to Japan. I remember one of them probably wasn’t going to make it. We went through a “psych ward” where the guys simply weren’t in the real world any more. They weren’t malingering; their minds simply couldn’t handle it anymore. These were cases of traumatic stress at its worst; I’ve always wondered whether the doctors were ever able to put some of them back together mentally.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

I landed at Travis Airport on Wednesday, flew to my parents’ home in Denver on Thursday, found out the University calendar had been moved forward a week, flew to DC on Sunday and started back at grad school on Monday.  I stayed with family friends a couple weeks while I found an apartment and a part-time job.  This was the worst culture shock of my life.  Being back in the States was weird, anyway; everything seemed superficial. Students were worrying about dates, grades, what to wear, etc., when I’d just been in a place where life-and-death decisions were being made.  Being in DC, there were occasional choppers flying overhead; I’d automatically look up – I could locate where it was and what kind of chopper.  There were also 21-gun salutes for visiting heads of state; I almost ended up under my desk a couple of times.  I think I was lucky, however, to have had a very rigorous graduate program.  It gave me something to do, which I enjoyed and kept me occupied; I would have floundered if I had come home without a job.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

Most people have no idea that we were even there. I don’t want people to look at us as heroes; we weren’t. We were just young women doing a job that was amazing and different from anything else (true of both Vietnam and Korea). It was a unique group in a program that couldn’t have existed elsewhere; the guys in Vietnam and Korea were really isolated. It also wasn’t just a bunch of girls playing silly games and having fun in a war zone. We were all college graduates, a little bit older (not much) than the average GI. We were there to boost morale and to provide “a touch of home”, showing that people cared about them. We had to keep our own feelings hidden; we couldn’t have a “down” day. It was more difficult than it sounds.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them?  Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

A few have – many times we get a “Welcome home” from vets.  Many have noted that they didn’t see any Donut Dollies anywhere in-country; I usually try to explain that there were only 627 of us from late 1965-1972 for the whole country.  At the most, I think there were only about 120 Donut Dollies in-country at any one time.

What are your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

Far too many to relate – and most of them involve the GIs.  Often, they were so shy around us; some were actually tongue-tied and could hardly talk to us.  Once our chopper had to make an unscheduled stop, which was a few hundred yards from some guys working; while we were waiting, two guys got up their courage to come over to talk to us.  They could hardly say anything; finally, one of them asked if they could just hold our hands.  So we sat at the edge of the Huey and held hands with them while we talked.  The one guy said, “This is so cool!”

One day a couple guys in Danang asked me to go with them to one of the orphanages. We did this occasionally on our days off, although this was a different orphanage than we usually went to. The orphanage had a babies’ room; one of the men, a tough-as-nails Sergeant, told me he couldn’t go in there because he just couldn’t handle it. When I asked why, he told me I’d find out. I went in with his Captain and was devastated by the sight of a couple dozen cribs with tiny infants, most too listless to cry. These two guys visited every chance they got, one holding the infants, the other playing with the small children.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 19 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)

In our nineteenth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Agnes Fortune tells how seeing friends from college going off to Vietnam prompted her to take the patriotic step towards joining the Donut Dollies, recounting the danger of flying in a helicopter and riding in a Jeep in a combat zone, and that upon arriving home, she discovered that all other jobs were boring compared to the work she did in Vietnam.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted.  You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Agnes Fortune…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) program and want to go to Vietnam?

I graduated from college in 1968 and every male I went to school with was going to Vietnam.  I also wanted to do something on my own that was patriotic.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam?  Did you go by a nickname?

I was stationed at Blackhorse in Long Kahn Province (11th Armored Cavalry under Col. Patton, the General’s son) from about November, 1968 to the end of January, 1969 and I served with Donut Dollie’s Lola and Kay. I then served in Cu Chi (25th Infantry Division) from January, 1969 to July, 1969, where I replaced Dorset Hoogland Anderson (featured in the upcoming Donut Dollie Documentary), and served with Karen, Judy, Cindy, Lou, Jane, and Carolyn. My last base was Long Binh (also known as II Field Force with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade), where I served with Ellie, Betty and others.  While in Vietnam, I went by the nickname of Aggie.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

Those areas I served in were all combat zones, so my routine day was flying by helicopter out to about 6 fire support bases and “putting on” our programs with one other Donut Dollie. We would eat C rations in the field for lunch or serve and eat hot food if available. We would fly back to our base, take a shower and go to a stand down of troops we saw when they were back in base camp.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

Yes, I had close calls.  At Blackhorse, we were under threat of being overrun one night, because so many of the squadrons were out in the field – it didn’t happen, but we sat up all night in helmets and flack jackets.  At Cu Chi, it was common to be rocketed at night and we would spend part of the night in our underground bunker, a boxcar – once at Cu Chi we were shot down in a helicopter, but were able to take off again and land safely at base camp.  We would also be rocketed out in the field and once was shot at while riding in a Jeep at Tay Ninh.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

I was never injured.

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

Working in the hospitals was the worst.  During TET of 1969 we had a number of severe injuries at Cu Chi.  We could not go out to the field, so we assisted on the critical care wards writing letters home to families describing the soldier’s injuries. I doubt many of those men made it home and feel sad knowing my letter was the last thing many of those loved ones got.  We were told not to sign our names, because the families would try to find us back in the states to get details, which we probably would not remember, because there were so many injured.  I wrote a letter for one soldier and his injuries were so severe, I couldn’t tell where his face was.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

I did not come straight home. I hitch-hiked home for 6 months around the world. When I did get back in early 1970, no one wanted to talk about Vietnam.  Finding a job was miserable, because the jobs were all so boring compared to Vietnam, my first real job.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

I would like people to know that we worked very hard and believed in what we were doing.  We were not prolonging the war, just making it better for those who were there.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them? Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

The veterans I have met have all been appreciative.

What are your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

Fondest memories – I don’t know that I can think of one or two – everyday was jam packed with things to do – probably being out in the field was my favorite.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 18 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)

In our eighteenth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Marrilee Shannon tells how having a father and brother in the military and wanting to support the men serving prompted her to go to Vietnam, that the Donut Dollies worked 6AM – 6PM, 6 days a week and then some, and how she and her DD partner Nancy were invited onto the USS Saint Paul (CA-73) to give a performance to nearly 1,000 men onboard.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted. You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Marrilee Shannon…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) program and want to go to Vietnam?

I graduated from University of New Mexico in 1969 with a degree in Recreation. My mom saw an ad in the Roseville, CA paper looking for women to go to Vietnam through the Red Cross for their SRAO recreation program. My father was in the Air Force and my mom didn’t give it a second thought. I went because I believed that if young men were serving so should I, a kind of equal rights! LOL! I did not feel patriotic about it, but I felt it was important to support the men, not our purpose, not war or fighting “communism”. I also knew that my older brother had already served in the war and that my father was serving in Thailand and flying into Vietnam and that I might marry a guy who had been sent there. I felt I needed to know what this war was about myself so I went for these reasons and of course “I needed a job!”

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam? Did you go by a nickname?

I was stationed as an SRAO programmer and director at three stations – Cu Chi 25th Infantry, Cam Rahn AFB, Phan Rang AFB from late 1969 – late 1970.  I was known as Marrilee in Vietnam.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

It depended on whether you were stationed in a Clubmobile Unit, which was mobile travel by air each day to firebases or if you were stationed at an Army or Air Force base. The different services had very different bases. The third type of station duty would be a combination of a Recreation center and Clubmobile. You would work at the center so many days and then go out on Clubmobile runs in a truck to a local unit stationed near the main base. When I was stationed at the Cu Chi 25th Infantry base, it was all Clubmobile unit runs. We flew 6am – 6pm, six days a week with Sundays “off”. Every Sunday dinner, was with the General. It was required.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

Not really. We had a teargas grenade tossed under one of the helicopters I was in, but we took off so quickly that we were not affected. The military were very protective of us and we had to clear every flight we made on the day of departure with the local intelligence officer.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

I was not injured. I became severely depressed after a few months in Cu Chi. It was the 25th Infantry Division and it was a Clubmobile unit that worked 6 days a week. They would bring men in from the field who had not eaten at a table in a year or so or seen a “round eye” (American woman) and we would all sit at a 6ft table with a rotating lazy susan in the middle that each person could operate from their seat with a little switch. I felt it degraded the women and the poor guys that were brought there. It was our only day off. After you go out and try to “lift” the spirits of men at war all day, every day, it is very important to have a little time to recharge and decompress in order to go out and do it all over again with enthusiasm and grace. The men from the field were always so very uncomfortable and nervous. You would be too!

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

It was not my “job” to visit the soldiers in the hospital. There were many SRAO women who did that and it was done on their off time. I went with one of the gals in my unit in Cam Ranh Bay. She went frequently and was accustomed to seeing the guys who were sick or wounded. I just went the one time. It made me too uncomfortable. My job made me uncomfortable sometimes as well, but I was committed to my duty.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

Coming home was strange. It was at a time where the military were supposed to change into their civilian clothes when coming home. Remember, I was a military brat and I came home when my father was still active duty in California at McClellan AFB near Sacramento, CA. I immediately wanted to go and speak at the Officer’s Wives’ Club to “tell” them what it was really like in Vietnam for the men and their husbands. My mom said “that wouldn’t be a good idea”. I never went. It was strange to try and understand why no one really wanted to “know” what was “going on” in Vietnam and it was sad to see the returning Vets treated so poorly.

One time I was in the field with a troop deployment. The men were shipping out, boarding troop carriers and we were wishing them well, as the loud speaker overhead was delivering President Nixon’s message that “we are not going into Cambodia”. I couldn’t help myself, I asked the guys, “Where are you headed?”, one of the fellas answered “Cambodia.” That kinda changed my concept of government and truth in government from that point on and I still hold the same beliefs concerning government actions and war to this day. I was 23 years old at the time and I am 70 now.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

It will never happen, but I believe that anyone who served in Vietnam should be considered a Veteran (the Donut Dollies never received such designation, as we were Civilian non-combatants).  The women who “served” were all college graduates who chose to go to Vietnam. They came from all over our country and gave what they could for their country.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them? Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

It has always been a gift to talk to any of the “guys” that remember us.

What are your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

I am very proud of the women I served with and all the women who served with the SRAO.

The guys on Nui Ba Den Signal Relay firebase built us a “private” Black and Red Latrine!

I enjoyed playing my guitar and singing for some guys who stopped for a break on the “road to somewhere”.

Being radioed from a ship off the coast of Phan Thiet while flying in a helicopter. They requested that we land on their ship. We did and gave a closed circuit performance of sorts on their closed circuit television system aboard the ship! This is the thank you note the ship commander gave to us:

“On behalf of the men of SAINT PAUL, I would like to extend to you a special thanks and note of appreciation for the efforts of two of the young ladies in the SRAO program, Miss Marrilee Shannon and Miss Nancy Olsen. On Thursday, 3 September they visited the SAINT PAUL by helo and considerably brightened the lives of about 1,000 young men who comprise the crew of this heavy cruiser. They explained their program, and then sang on our closed circuit television system for over two hours and proved themselves to be quite good entertainers. It was a little difficult at first to accurately assess the impact they had on the morale of the crew. But, after waiting three weeks, I still hear many favorable comments regarding their strong impact and extremely pleasant visit. I can say that their boost to morale was nothing short of outstanding. They were splendid representatives of the United States.

Many thanks again,

Commander Don Knutson Sr.”

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 17 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)

In our seventeenth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Linda Meinders Webb tells how her experience with the Peace Corps and her interest about America’s involvement in Vietnam led her to become a Donut Dollie, about the dangers men and women faced while there, and seeing the soldier’s faces light up when they visited with them.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted.  You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Linda Meinders Webb…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) and want to go to Vietnam?

I had been in the Peace Corps in India and wanted to go overseas again.  I applied for the Teachers Corps and was accepted to the University of Wisconsin, but went to the St. Louis Chapter of the Red Cross and thought it would be exciting to go to Vietnam.  I wanted to find out more about America’s involvement in Vietnam.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam?  Did you go by a nickname?

I went to Washington, DC for training the day Nixon was inaugurated in January, 1969 and then to Danang, Cam Ranh Air (TTY), Cam Ranh Army, and then Pleiku at the headquarters of the 45th Infantry and left in January, 1970.  I didn’t use a nickname, other than Linda from Minnesota, but I did hear Legs or long legs.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

No routine day, but days were long at Danang where I spent most of my time – either going to the Recreation Center, to see units via Jeep or C-130, then back to a house shared with 10-11 others and to eat at the Officer’s Mess at night and perhaps see a movie.  Some evenings we went to the General’s Mess.  At Cam Ranh Army and Pleiku, I spent more time at night either in our trailer or hooch with other Red Cross staff after dinner.  On off days, we went to the beach and had our nails done.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

Yes, I spent nights in the bunker listening to C-130’s overhead at Danang.  I went to change of command and we had incoming and someone tackled me since I did not get down fast enough.  Another time we were in a helicopter when we dodged fire.  One day we were at the last base after going swimming at noon, so we had our swim suits on and were asked to go to water hole to swim.  We considered, but declined.  When another Donut Dollie from our unit went to that same unit for their visit the following week, they learned that some of the servicemen that went to the water hole were hit by mines and some did not survive.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No, thankfully.

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

This was draining and I can still see the inside of a hospital where we visited Marines in Quang Tri, north of Danang. There was a Marine completely bandaged – probably burned, and he was so positive and talking about going back to the front.  Visiting the psych ward was draining.  I did feel appreciated by remarks made by the soldiers and staff.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

I was from Minnesota, but flew to Georgia and visited for a few weeks with another Donut Dollie (Elsie Wright) at her home and then we traveled around the USA, stopping at my home in Minnesota on the way.  Afterwards, I lived in Atlanta and worked with Peace Corps and VISTA Recruiting, living with other Donut Dollies (Betsy Tanner, Heidi Wendt, Nancy Matthews).  We said it was our half-way house, because most of the people I was surrounded myself with had been overseas.  It was easier for me, than for some others.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

That we loved our job and it was a challenge and a service to make life fun and easier for those who were in the military.  I have respect for anyone that serves in the military service.   I understand why we needed a college degree and excellent health (physical and mental) to become a Donut Dollie, because it was easier to get a job and settle afterwards.  I am glad that I was in the Peace Corps before, so I knew myself and wanted to continue serving my country.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them?  Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

I went to a helicopter reunion in Dotham, AL and it seemed that pilots held us in esteem, but did not want to relate on personal basis – maybe because we were older.   Older officers have been the ones to say they appreciated us greatly.

What were your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

Evenings talking and sharing experiences (I was reminded that we saw Colin Powell in Danang), comradeship of other Donut Dollies, seeing faces of soldiers and Marines light up when visiting them at their base – whether playing our games, pencil or pen, and talking one on one.  One time we visited soldiers who were on a hill and lookout – they had a monkey on their shoulder and were very casual – had not seen much action and were very excited to see us.  Rides in helicopters and C-130’s were something that were almost a daily routine and then stopped – I even remember riding shotgun in a bomber back to base (probably not approved).  Many experiences were shared in one year – exciting and special to me.  We told some GI’s that we went to Bangkok every night, because they were afraid for us & had rougher nights than we did and could not imagine how we survived.  Donut Dollie Ginny Close and I spoke to Marines about our Peace Corps experiences and one Marine said that one of the differences of us as Peace Corps Volunteers and Marines in Vietnam was that in Vietnam they worked as we did, but did not know who was our friend/enemy at night.  Fighting was done at night, tunnels were dug, bombs were planted and dropped, etc.

P.S. – In the three photos above that the Donut Dollies appear in red dresses, which were their Christmas outfits, Linda Meinders Webb explains “I bought the material and had them made in Hong Kong, so they were original for us, but not approved by American Red Cross.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 16 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)

In our sixteenth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Terre Deegan-Young tells how her decision to go to Vietnam was for adventure and to help make up her mind about the war, how her work was both challenging and gratifying, and how in the heat of war she saw young, brave soldiers go from “boys to men” right before her eyes.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted.  You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Terre Deegan-Young…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) and want to go to Vietnam?

I was in college in the late 60’s.  The war was all over the news including Kent State.   My father had served in WWII and was a pilot at the time for the Illinois National Guard.  So, I was getting “opinions” from both sides – he was pro the war and military, my college friends were all against our actions.  I wanted to go over there for myself and make up my OWN mind.  I knew my outspoken personality would NEVER fly in the military, but heard about the Red Cross program.  It seemed like the perfect solution.  Plus it filled my desire to do some sort of an “adventure”.  The prospect of college – marriage – motherhood, in that order, just didn’t fit for me.  I saw that path years down the road.  But Women’s Lib was just beginning and I was all for the choices we would/should have.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam?  Did you go by a nickname?

I was in Vietnam from Fall of 1970 until summer of 1971.  I was first stationed in Chu Lai with Americal Division.  Stayed there till after the holidays in December of ’70 until I was sent down south to Bien Hoa with the 1st Cav.  I believe I was there from about January until March or April of 1971.  I then went back north to Camp Eagle with the 101st.   My legal name was Therese, but I always just went by “Terre”.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

I think the question of “routine” day would be close to impossible for any Donut Dollie to answer.  That was the challenge (and beauty) of this job. NOTHING was routine.  You would always have some obstacle to overcome while trying to do your job… a helicopter would be late, weather would delay your departure, the guys you were supposed to visit wouldn’t have returned to that particular firebase, there would be some dignitary there and the generals would want you to “play” hostess or something to these people, etc., etc.

If I could attempt to make any day ‘typical’, at least for me, it would be to rise very early as most chopper rides wanted you out on the pad around sunrise.  You get your partner for the day (never traveled alone) and what “program” you had decided to use all day.  You made sure you had some goodies to give out, especially “short-timer” calendars, which they all loved.  And off you would go, hopefully with a little breakfast in you.  It was always cold at first, so you have your trusty field jacket on while you waited at the pad.  With any luck, the ride you arranged the night before would show up.  You confirm that they are headed to the firebase you need to visit.  And off you go.

At the base, you check in with one of the high ranking officers.  You confirm which groups you want to visit with – trying to get to all of them if possible.  This would usually include the artillery guys, the transportation guys, maybe support groups like mess hall, etc.  And the most important, only because we could only catch them periodically, was any infantry group that was on a “stand down” back at the firebase at the time.  Sometimes, if it was a big group, you would see them by platoon. Of course all of this depended on the numerous schedules of these various groups. So, being flexible and a good “suck up” was key to seeing as many as possible in your one day.  If it was a small outpost, you sometimes scheduled a “lunch” pick up and headed to another base just to fill the day.

You would have various luck depending on the group.  Some were very welcoming, some just wanted to talk and NOT do the program (which was fine), some wanted their officers to attend, others wanted time just with us so they could vent, and some were VERY tired from other duties and were a bit upset we were there – but that was rare.  Again, flexibility was key – evaluating each group to give them what they needed, NOT what we expected to present.  Some LOVED the games/programs and hated to see us end.  Others really wanted only the contact and a “taste of home”.   Most wanted to spoil us with whatever food might be a special treat, especially if they had just been resupplied with soda or other treasures not normally available.

After a full day, you drag your program bag and your tired, hot and dirty self, to the pad and PRAY that a helicopter will pick you up, especially if there are storm clouds filling the sky.  At least once a week, you have to ask the radio guys to just put out a “full on request for any chopper in the area” to come and get you.  Often the one that you carefully scheduled for this had been sent on to a priority job other than providing you a ride home.  As you climbed aboard, you could count on a few guys watching you take off… and you would extend your hand out the door with a peace sign to be returned by the same special gesture from them as a way of saying “until next time” and a wish for all of us.

After a much needed shower, you either started creating a “new” program, or scheduling all your runs for the next day, or answering some silly question from the higher ups in Saigon, you never knew (I was the program director in Bien Hoa and Unit Director at Camp Eagle, so I often had administrative duties to handle at end of the day).  Other nights, you were “required” to attend a special officer’s dinner or award ceremony or whatever.  And you would always do this, as it really helped with relations and you getting the services you needed to preform your job. At least once or twice a week, there was a fun event so you could just relax with some guys that invited you over or you go hear a visiting band… depending on your energy level and interest.

Footnote: I always worked with units that did a LOT of firebase work (and I loved this).  So, I never really spent much time at any Red Cross recreation centers (Bien Hoa was only place I ever worked that had one on base).  I LOVED flying, so I always got assigned to those duties.  And when I was in charge of the schedule, I would make it work out that way.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

Occasionally being told when flying that someone was “shooting at us”, but I never could hear anything.  Once, we got caught by weather out at one of the battalion bases of 1st Cav.  There was just NO way a chopper could come get us.  Since it was a bit more equipped than a firebase, they put together somewhere for us to sleep that night (in an office).  The next day was no better and the higher ups really wanted us back at our base so they weren’t responsible.  They dressed us in bullet proof vests, helmets, etc. and loaded us all in a jeep.  They had gunners in our jeep, in the jeep following us and the one leading.  The road was NOT considered secure, so I was a bit freaked until we made the hour or so ride back to base.

Another time, we were at a firebase and the call went out over the PA speakers that we were under attack by the enemy firing from the wire perimeter. We were in the  middle of a program and all the guys ran off to their stations to return fire.  It wasn’t too serious and over really soon.  But for a few moments, we basically were “on our own”.  My partner and I just found the lowest hooch we could to crawl into. And, I am now embarrassed to recall… but the soldier that lived there had left his radio on.  I immediately turned it off, thinking that if the bad guys get on to firebase, I didn’t want any noise that they would feel they had to investigate and then find us… stupid, I know.

The worst “close call” probably was on Christmas when we were allowed to actually go into the field to visit an infantry group.  The commander wanted to bring hot food to any guys that had to be on the front line on Christmas.  We were invited to go and help serve.  It took about 3 choppers to get all the higher ups, the chaplain and the food out to the various platoons for this company.  At one stop, truly IN THE FIELD, we set up and were dishing out tons of treats for these guys.  There were probably about 100 of them, so it was a long line and took some time to get them food, ice cream, goody bags, etc.  Unfortunately, the landing of 3 choppers and the noise of distribution (even though we were being as quiet as we could) drew attention of the “enemy” and shots were fired into our group.  Again, our soldiers reacted on instinct and created a safe perimeter.  One captain threw me and other Donut Dollie down and covered us with vests, etc.  I was happy for that, as once again my first instinct was to hide behind a PAPER BOX FILLED WITH MILK CARTONS, which was not exactly going to stop a bullet.

I tell both of these experiences to point out something very important and two lessons learned by me.

1) Both show how little training we all got before we went over there.  In neither case were we doing something against the rules.  We were just in the  middle of “war time activity”.  The short two weeks we spent in Washington, DC before going to Vietnam, we left NEVER addressed anything close to what we should do IF this happened. Perhaps it was because the Red Cross is “neutral” on all war activity.  But they had to know we MIGHT have to react to these dangers.  My memory might be different than other women, but I only remember the training to include how we were supposed to BEHAVE – dress appropriately – not date married men – not curse – Red Cross history – military ranks and what they meant.  I do not recall ANYTHING that would have helped me in these situations.  I had NEVER even been around guns in my life, that’s how “innocent” we all were to real war and danger and how to respond.

2) The second “lesson learned” is one that I will take to my grave.  For the majority of the time while working in Vietnam, I was “playing” and laughing and entertaining 19 year old (average age) BOYS who were placed in an adult and horrific situation.  BOTH times (on the firebase and in the field), these “boys” instantly turned into men right before my eyes.  They acted on instinct, on survival and ran to do what they were trained to do.  They NEVER held back or cowered.  They went right to work.  But the real surprise to me was how their faces changed right before my eyes.  They really went from looking like your typical teens, innocent and unguarded to looking MUCH older, experienced ‘warriors’, if that is the word.  I have never seen such a spontaneous, immediate transformation of human expression and behavior in an instant.  And when danger was over, they went right back to the sweet 19 year olds most of them were.  I guess I could say that I got to see what war does to someone, since this required transformation probably happened to them almost daily… not good for your emotional health and development at such young age.  (Sorry, that was a bit of a commentary from a trained counselor many years later.)

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

I fell, tripped or got caught on some of the razor wire that was everywhere over there.  It just cut up my thigh a bit, lots of blood, but not much of a wound.  Of course, you would have thought I had a fatal gun shot… the medics and all were so very sweet.  I have a picture of me in their “hut” with a huge bandage and a big smile on my face from being treated like a queen (like always).

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

Of course, this is where we all got such an appreciation for the nurses that had this most difficult job.  The men were all bandaged and cleaned up by the time we saw them.  It was certainly one of the harder parts of our duties.  We would go bed to bed, visit a bit, give them a short-timers calendar or whatever we had.  Most often, it was just chatting or them telling us if they had a “million $$ wound”, meaning they would be sent home because of it.  The truly difficult moments were when they would tell us that they lost a limb or the use of one… or some other life changing wound.  They would slowly inform us of this (even if it was evident), then ask if we thought their wife/girlfriend or any woman would now find them “less than”.  And then they would closely watch our face for our reaction.  We had to immediately encourage them that it would basically “be all right” – that they wouldn’t be rejected, that they were loved for who they were, and that hadn’t changed.  We had no idea if this was true, but it was what they needed to hear at the time – from an American “round eye” and considering the status they assigned to us because of it.  It was heart wrenching to do.  But our job was based on hope and on the “real world” they all wanted to return to after this nightmare.  (Oops, there I go again.)

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

I didn’t want to come home just yet.  I felt I had more to do there and wanted to stay for at least a few more months.  It was such gratifying work, I knew I wouldn’t replace it and wanted to get all I could, while I could.  But my sister was getting married and my father put LOTS of “Catholic guilt” on me saying it was an important family event and I needed to be there.  I really loved my family and wanted to respect his wishes.  Especially since I knew my mother sacrificed a lot of “peace of mind” while I was in Vietnam.  So, I agreed to leave (it was about a month short of my year-long tour).

I stalled on the journey home, stopping in San Francisco to visit Karen Kent, a fellow Donut Dollie.  This was a good move, as she had returned a few months before me, so she could help with the SHOCK of being stateside.  I remember we went to a San Francisco Giants baseball game.  It put me around more people than I had been exposed to for a very long time.  Just going on a pedestrian bridge across a 10 lane highway to get to the game was terrifying.  But even harder was that none of the men were taking notice of us!!!  Karen just started laughing at me because she knew – as hard as all the attention was for us all that time in Vietnam, especially when you wanted to be invisible and have private time – you did like feeling like a celebrity, or a supermodel, or rock star, etc.  You were one of about 10,000 (male vs. female odds).  And it was a bit of an adjustment to again be one of the crowd.

Grocery stores were amazing… all that fresh food.  People being impatient, worried about trivial things, that was another shock.  Did they not know that their problems were so very minor in the scope of the world?  I felt like I had been on another planet all this time.

Home was tough, although I didn’t realize it at the time.  Getting off the plane and into my mother’s arms, I knew that I was the one that put all those new worry/wrinkle lines on her face.  My sister’s wedding kept me busy (and years later she told me she didn’t WANT me at the wedding, afraid I would get all the attention – guess “Father doesn’t always know best”).  I “thought” I was doing fine, but I have heard I would just sit and stare often.  My family and friends really didn’t know “how” to talk to me, so they never asked.  Neither did the general public, as they wanted the whole thing to just go away by that point.  And knowing how everyone felt, I never brought anything up.  So, I guess, down deep, I was looking for an escape from this “expected” normal life that I was now supposed to lead.  When the chance came to hitchhike around Europe with Karen, I jumped at it.  I worked a waitress job to earn the money and within 6 months, I was on the road again. Karen spoke “my language”.  We even visited MANY of our soldier friends that were now stationed in Europe.  So, we sort of “continued” our jobs, just on safer soil. It was what I needed and wanted and eased me back into the “real world”.

When the money ran out and I had to return to reality, it was tough.  I did do social work in a dangerous neighborhood in Chicago, probably to keep the “thrill” alive. And then, met a friend of my brother’s that had recently returned from Vietnam and we began to date – sharing that bond and “thinking” it was “love”.  Unfortunately, we married building on that one experience instead of what it takes for a lifelong relationship.  We moved to Colorado to get away from “the expected” in the Midwest.  But we were both still restless and unsettled.  So, we “volunteered” to return to Vietnam and work with an adoption agency that was trying to get all the Amerasian children out of the country.  Now there is enough there for a WHOLE new story that I won’t include now.  Just say that I saw the aftermath of what us Americans “left behind”… angry, scared people, bomb scarred countryside, crumbling economy and more orphans than they could handle.  And this was 1975, as the ARVN’S and the government were slowly “giving up”.  So daily, we would have to read about firebases, cities, villages where many American lives were sacrificed, all being deserted before the NVA would arrive.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

Selfless, brave, adventuresome, talented, courageous, hard working, flexible – I could go on and on with adjectives.  We are our own breed for sure.  There was NEVER a Donut Dollie that I was NOT proud to serve with or work besides.  I have at least a half a dozen that are still my closest friends, after almost 50 years.  There are no environments or jobs that you could do that would bring you closer, so that these ties all stand the test of time.  And to this day, they are doing great things in our world – BECAUSE of the experience, IN SPITE of the experience.

Another thing that people should know and understand… we didn’t charge for sex or go to Vietnam to find a husband, which were only a few of the terrible rumors that I would sometimes hear. Did I know women that dated married men, yes. Did I know women that CHOSE to be intimate with some of the men they were dating, yes. But NEVER was the Donut Dollie program some sort of “big business” opportunity for any of us. I am sure back at home, we could have gotten into that line of work if we wanted and been a hell of a lot safer (and smell better on a regular basis). This “assumption’ is the one I hate the most. Hell, if true, we could all have come home millionaires.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them? Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

My experiences have always been great when I have encountered a Vietnam vet. MOST know what we did and are extremely grateful.  It has always been a pleasure to exchange “war stories”.  I believe the treatment we all, on some level, received when we returned home has bonded us in a very protective way.  Early on, I would not easily share that I was a Donut Dollie or in Vietnam with anyone, as I never knew what the reaction would be.  Now, I say it most proudly.

What were your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

I think I have already shared these in my “story”… the interesting way the men went from “boys to men’; how untrained we all were for the job, but we all adapted quickly.  I guess I would add that I was treated with upmost respect 99% of the time, even if they were drunk, just returning from weeks in the field, lonely, tired or whatever.  I have to say enlisted men in general were more appreciative and gracious.  I did see some officers that cared more about their rank (a.k.a. body count), than their men.  But I also met many who were very devoted to “their boys” and would use us as sort of spies to see what they could do to make life better for the guys in the field.

If I had to name just two of a million “fond” memories of my time there – I would say that first, the women that I met.  AND then, the lessons it taught me about myself and what I am capable of doing.  That year – the hardest, toughest, scariest, most challenging, both physically and emotionally that I ever had – was the best year of my life.  It influenced every choice, decision, and direction that I took for each year of my life since.  I wouldn’t trade if for a thing.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 15 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)

In our fifteenth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Marilyn Schmokel Dent tells how she came to join the SRAO program, how her Donut Dollie unit made over 40 helicopter trips each week to firebases and outposts to do programming for the men, and how on her flight home to the states along with returning soldiers, they were welcomed home on the plane by the pilot, but were met with a much different response in the airport terminal.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted.  You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Marilyn Schmokel Dent…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) program and want to go to Vietnam?

During Christmas break of my senior year at Oregon State University, I watched the Bob Hope Special from Vietnam on TV.  I was so moved I wrote him and asked if I could help in anyway.   He suggested I contact my Congressman, which I did. That led me to the Red Cross.  I flew to San Francisco for my interview (first time ever flying) and signed up.  I told my mom and she said “all my life, I worried about my 4 sons going off to war and the one who goes is my daughter!!”  I left for Washington, DC for training in September, 1967.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam?  Did you go by a nickname?

I served in Xuan Loc with the 11th Armored Calvary from September 1967 – February 1968, in An Khe with the 1st Air Calvary from February 1968 – June 1968, and in Dong Tam with the 9th Infantry Division from June 1968 – October 1968.  No nickname, I was known as Marilyn in Vietnam.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

It was going with one other girl with our big brown game bag and heading to the helicopter pad.  We made 7-9 stops a day, six days a week by helicopter out to firebases and outposts for our programs.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

I was doing TDY (temporary duty) at Bien Hoa in February, 1968 during the Tet Offensive.  We were completely shut off from the base for several days because our living quarters were in town. Lots of shooting, mortars, and air strikes during that period.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

It was so moving and so heartbreaking. The GIs were so young for the most part – hurt and scared. I spent many Sundays at the small base hospital – maybe 10 beds. I wrote letters for the guys and visited.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

In October 1968, our plane landed in San Francisco. The plane was filled with cheering soldiers. The pilot said over the intercom “welcome to the United States of America”. We walked into the terminal filled with protesters carrying hateful signs and yelling at the soldiers. It was horrible. My family didn’t want to hear about the war or my year in Vietnam. Mostly they just wanted me to get on with my life and get a real job.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

I felt extremely lucky to have spent my year in Vietnam. I loved visiting with the GIs. They were 100% gentlemen, grateful to see me, and polite. I felt nothing but compassion for the soldiers I visited and enjoyed being able to do this work in Vietnam.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them? Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

I think seeing the Donut Dollies gave the GIs a chance to forget the war and their situation for an hour while we did a program for them. The programs were mostly silly, fun, and lifted the spirits of the men. I went to the dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, DC 24 years ago and received many thank you’s from the veterans and other people along the parade route. I was touched.

What are your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

A soldier showed me a small photo album his wife had sent with pictures of their new baby he’d never seen in person. Each photo showed the baby and dad’s picture together doing activities during the day – waking up, eating, bathing, smiling, and the last one was the baby saying goodnight to daddy’s picture.

A memory every day was seeing the soldiers (no matter how weary and scared) smiling when they saw us arrive.

To this day, I hope I made a difference during my 13 months in country.

During our tours, Donut Dollies had to send in a monthly report to the Red Cross about the number of men we saw every month, which would help us decide which area to visit.  Anyway, after I arrived home and begin looking for a teaching job, I wrote my resume.  I sent it out to many school districts.  Years later, I reread the resume and one of my job descriptions under working in Vietnam as a Donut Dollie was that I “serviced 10,000 men a month”.  I bet all the administrator who read that had a good laugh.

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In our fourteenth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Susan Baiamonte Conklin tells about going to Vietnam for the adventure like “Brenda Starr, Reporter” from the newspaper comics, and what happened when she and another Donut Dollie were dropped off at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted.  You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Susan (Suzi) Baiamonte Conklin…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) and want to go to Vietnam?

I fancied myself as Brenda Starr the newspaper comic reporter and was looking for an adventure. Boy did I get one.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam? Did you go by a nickname?

In 1968, I was in Cam Ranh Bay, Lai Khe and Da Nang. I went back to all those places in 2015 and was shocked at the change. I was known as “Suzi” in Vietnam, but became Susan again as I aged.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, it depended on the location. In Cam Ranh we ran two recreation centers plus a traveling clubmobile program (to reach the men on firebases). Center duty meant making coffee and Kool-Aid and socializing with the men with a daily program. In Lai Khe there was no center and was only clubmobile, so we flew everyday with a prop bag of programs. Da Nang was center and clubmobile. Oh! In our free time we had to create and build those programs.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

I had many, but the most memorable was in Lai Khe, the home of The Big Red One, which was my second assignment as a Donut Dollie in Vietnam. It was summer 1968 and I was training a new Donut Dollie named Linda. The day started with a news team competing for helicopters on the Lai Khe air strip “to get to the action”. While this was our usual run to Quan Loi, Linda and I just boarded the first available ride there. Quan Loi is close to the Cambodia border and had seen a lot of recent action. Once there, our usual Huey to the airstrip was not available, so we were put on a Chinook. Noise is a factor in riding a Chinook and it is hard to hear. The pilot wrote down a message and asked us if we were sure we wanted to go to this airstrip. Of course we wrote back. It was our weekly run to see the soldiers there. We could see the air strip, but the pilot landed (more like hovered) a short distance from the airstrip and let us off quickly, throwing down our program bag.

We walked to the airstrip and I realized there were no soldiers, only Vietnamese. In a quandary, we opened the prop bag and started programming with the Vietnamese on the airstrip playing games and giving out prizes. In retrospect, I will say that they were just as puzzled as we were. Overhead, I heard a Huey, which landed a couple hundred yards from us. I saw the General’s aide running towards us. “What are you doing here?” he asked and I replied “programming, do you want to play?’ I never got an answer, as he started throwing props back into the bag. He had me by one arm and I had Linda by the other. We did a fast trot to the Huey. Apparently, the General saw “two blue dots” on the airstrip and realized the dots were Donut Dollies and in the wrong place at a very wrong time. The General got a medal for saving us and I got a story.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

If you consider a howitzer gun going off in your ear an injury, but it was my own stupid fault for standing so close.

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

Not part of my job, but I often helped the hospital Red Cross people with visits in Cam Ranh and Da Nang. It was sad, but the men appreciated the visits. I felt better for doing them.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

Smooth. I moved with my girl friend to Hermosa Beach, CA and taught school and yes, kept partying.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

They were special and we had a unique gene that made us go to war. They are some of my best friends. Lived a year with these women and never had a negative thought about them, has to be a record.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them? Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

Over 50 years of meeting Vietnam veterans and I have heard nothing but praise for us and thank you’s.

What were your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

Christmas 1968 in Da Nang and the Bob Hope show with Ann Margaret and The Gold Diggers and one ton of fruit cake from the good people in Hartford, CT.  A story in itself.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 13 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)

In our thirteenth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Lou Breen Rundle talks about how she did programming events for the soldiers to try to take their mind off the war for a little while, experiencing a rocket attack at Cam Ranh Air Base, and flying in a Caribou cargo plane affectionately known as Santabou, to hand out the free goodies to servicemen.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted.  You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Lou Breen Rundle…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) and want to go to Vietnam?

I went mainly because I was curious about the war. There were just too many people at home doing nothing but complaining. I hoped I could help in this program.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam? Did you go by a nickname?

I served in Qui Nhon from Aug-Oct ’71 and at Cam Ranh Air Base (CRAB) from Oct ’71-Apr ’72, and I was known as Lou.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

In Qui Nhon it was traveling every day. Get up early; call for a chopper; run to the chopper pad on the beach & hitch a ride; thank our pilots with a grease pencil smiley chopper drawn on their window; then program; visit; listen; laugh; hand out short timer’s calendars; do card, string, or rubber band tricks or learn new ones from the guys; maybe serve lunch; and then head to another fire base.

At CRAB we were both mobile and had a recreation center. Some days we traveled and some days we worked at the center where we had lemon Kool-Aid and snacks, music, card games, pool tables, etc. We also did special events like plays, fashion shows, shave & haircut day, a Halloween carnival, etc. We “Kool-Aided the flight line” and visited patients at the hospital at Cam Ranh handing out care packages with games, crossword puzzles, short timer’s calendars, and a page dedicated to getting to know our Donut Dollie unit.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

I remember the first time I saw tracer bullets when flying in a Huey, and asked, “What are those pretty things?” The pilots yelled that we were being fired at and took the chopper down to tree level to keep us safe. Another time there were rocket attacks at CRAB (see photo at left), but I slept right through them!

I never had any fear for my safety; these brave men always took extra precautions for us.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No.

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

I don’t think they sent us to see the badly injured men. We usually visited wards with men who could interact with us and do the silly things we asked of them.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

My family and friends were happy to see me. We mainly talked about what I did on R & R and about the parties and fun events we had. I was able to get a job and started teaching in August of ’72.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

We are all Americans who love our country. We wanted to do something to help, were fortunate to get a chance, and hope we made a difference.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them? Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

I hope that when they think of us, they smile! 8-)

What were your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

I will never forget our Santabou Christmas of 1971 where three tactical airlift squadrons from CRAB painted their planes like Santa complete with a red nose & hat. They’d had raffles to raise money for fruit, candy, pretzels, alcohol, etc. and invited us to fly with them to bases and hand out the free goodies to servicemen who had not had things like this for many months. Our plane’s bartender, Joe, was even dressed like Superman! It was one of the best Christmases ever – all giving, sharing, and good will.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 12 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)

In our twelfth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Sharon (Vander Ven) Cummings tells about visiting wounded soldiers was hard, yet rewarding, having Christmas dinner with the guys in Vietnam, and her experiences of meeting veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the thank you’s she received while marching in a veterans parade.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted.  You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Sharon (Vander Ven) Cummings…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) and want to go to Vietnam?

Most of us were recruited from college campuses.  Requirements were for young women, minimum age of 21, single, with a college degree.  In my case, my Mom worked for the Red Cross and told me about the jobs opening up in Vietnam.  I flew to San Francisco and interviewed for the job, they asked me where I would rather go, Korea or Vietnam.  I chose Vietnam – it was 1966 and I figured not many people would volunteer to go there.  Within 6 weeks, I had gotten my shots and was in Washington, DC for two weeks of training.  Our training consisted of learning how to recognize the various branches of the military and their ranks, and how to behave like a lady in all situations.

When I went to Vietnam, I was the youngest girl in-country.  I look back and cannot believe how innocent and naive I was.  I had been raised as an Air Force brat and lived in Germany, the Philippines, and even graduated from high school in Goose Bay, Labrador, but had really lead a very sheltered life.  It was quite an experience! And knowing all I know now, if you’d ask me today, I’d go again.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam? Did you go by a nickname?

The first six months were at Cam Ranh Bay, Army.  Then with Long Binh II Field Forces (but we lived in Bien Hoa), and finally with the 25th Division in Cu Chi.  I was known as Shari in Vietnam.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

First, it depended on where I was stationed and whether or not our unit had a recreation center or was strictly a clubmobile unit.  For me, as a Donut Dollie, my time was spent focusing on the guys — either playing pinochle, ping pong, or pool at the center; or writing & creating the next mobile program (we were each responsible for writing a program & making all the props); or spending the entire day traveling from site to site by either helicopter or jeep to the various units we’d be presenting a program to (we traveled in pairs when we programmed).  The days were long. It seems to me that we probably worked 6 days a week.  Those days where I’d be “off” were spent resting, maybe going into the village to go shopping or see the sites; at Cam Ranh we’d go to the beach.

We got up early every morning and got to bed late at night.  We also had strict curfews, although I cannot remember what time we got locked in.  And yes, we really were locked in for the night.

On four separate occasions, after arriving at a unit and setting up to do the program for that day, I had to adapt and let someone else do some real “performing.”  That someone was Martha Raye.   She was all over Vietnam, and for a while, it seemed she was following me wherever I went.  To say the least, there was no way I would ever have tried to compete with her!

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

No, I didn’t have any close calls.  I remember listening to “outgoing” rounds – they became part of the regular noise and we just got used to it.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No.

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

Sometimes it was really hard.  For me, though, this was a very important part of my job and extremely rewarding.  We took hospital books to break the ice.  But mainly, we were there, smiling and being our cheerful selves.  We had to let the guys know that we were not repulsed or shocked at how they looked — for if we could accept them the way they looked, then maybe things would be okay when they got home.  I think it was very important.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

I was physically and emotionally exhausted.  I really didn’t know how to act.  I would walk down a street and smile at everyone, because that was what was expected in Nam.  Someone pointed out to me that I shouldn’t be smiling at everyone — it wasn’t right and people might get the wrong impression.  I got very angry one day when I was in the grocery store — there was this huge long aisle of cereal boxes.  It seemed like hundreds of different types of cereal.  And it was more important to choose the correct brand of cereal than to think and worry about our guys who were being blown to bits on the news every night.  Nobody seemed to get it that these guys were really dying and that was real blood.  I got so very, very angry – – and this was in 1967.  I felt lost.  I didn’t know what to do next.   Get another job?  Nothing could compare to the excitement and fulfillment I had while working with MY guys in Vietnam. The let down was very, very hard.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

We were there because we wanted to be there.  We were there to bring some joy and distraction into the lives of the guys… and we did it the best we knew how!  We gave a lot of energy, and when we had no strength for another smile, we smiled anyway.

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them? Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

The veterans I have met at the Wall in Washington DC and at other vet events in California have been very appreciative of our work in Vietnam.  The first time I participated in a vet parade, lots of the guys told us “thank you” for all we’d done.  That brought me to tears.   I’d never thought we did anything special, but apparently, for many of the guys, we did.

What were your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

I really miss the people – I really saw the good sides of people while there.  I also miss the intensity of the job and the satisfaction I got out of my job.  Now, when it is time to go home, I leave the job behind and never think about it.  All jobs have paled in comparison to the satisfaction I got while in Nam.   There was excitement and a real challenge to being a Donut Dollie!

On Christmas day, all the girls in our unit went out to different units in the field.  While there, we had Christmas dinner with the guys – when I say “the guys,” I do not mean the officers.  We almost always worked with the enlisted men (boys).  I was out at a forward location, so we ate in mess tents that had been set up.  Later, several helicopters took us to Cu Chi where we got to see the Bob Hope show.   It was quite a day!

I made two lasting female friendships from Vietnam.  The first was with a girl I trained with in Washington DC and then was stationed with during my first 6 months in country.  The second friendship was rekindled at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial dedication in Washington, DC (1993) with a woman who had been my unit director at my first assignment.  The other friendships were more temporary.  Male friendships were also temporary and based on where I was assigned.  Since 1993, I have made new friendships with women who also served.  It has been a wonderful learning and healing experience.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 11 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)

In our eleventh edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Maggie Connor Dutilly tells about her parent’s Red Cross work being one reason she choose to become a Donut Dollie, being in a fire-fight at Camp Viking, and being called up on stage by Bob Hope as a salute for the work the Donut Dollies did for our soldiers.

Please share the Donut Dollie Detail with family, friends and veterans you may know, and make sure to like/follow us on Facebook to learn when the next edition is posted.  You can also share your email address with us at list@donutdollies.com for updates on the upcoming release of the Donut Dollies Documentary (we will not share/sell your email and will only use it for Donut Dollie related updates).

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Maggie Connor Dutilly…

What prompted you to join the SRAO (Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas) and want to go to Vietnam?

Both Parents had been involved with Red Cross work. My Mom (an R.N.) had been a Gray Lady at Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, PA during WW II. My Dad had been a member of the War Production Board, so we (9 kids) grew up knowing service to the Country was a duty. Because of medical issues, none of my brothers could serve, but I had a sister who became a Navy Nurse. I think President Kennedy’s “Ask not…” speech affected my whole generation.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam? Did you go by a nickname?

I was stationed in Danang from Aug. 1, 1971 until January 6, 1972 (with trips to Quang Tri and TDY to Bien Hoa) and Cam Ranh Army from Jan. 1972 until evacuation during the Easter Offensive in April 1972. I went by Maggie while in Nam.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

A routine day consisted of checking the Run schedule first thing to see whether I was assigned a Run or Recreation Center Duty. If a Run, I would climb into a ¾-ton truck with an assigned driver (Our Danang Run 1 Driver, Ronnie, eventually became my husband when our paths crossed 4 years after our time in Danang!) and another Donut Dollie (we always travelled in pairs) and go to the stops listed on the Run Schedule.

There were base Runs, where we would program in offices, maintenance bays, mess halls… wherever the Brass wanted us to gather with the guys.

There were forward Runs to firebases where we would fly out in a helicopter and would set up on top of bunkers, in artillery and mortar pits (when not in use, of course) and in mess halls if there was one on any particular firebase.

We would involve the GI’s in trivia, quiz games like Jeopardy and Concentration, and activities like water-balloon fights or Barber Call. Anything to get their minds off the war for a few minutes! Barber Call was when we would offer to give the GI’s shaves and hair-cuts (the First Sergeant would require the men to have standard hair-cuts and not show facial hair., even on firebases (I am thinking they would enforce that when things were slow to keep the troops busy.)

When I would participate in Barber-call, I would remove the blade from the razor I was using so I wouldn’t cut the GI!! Some of them didn’t really need a shave…they just wanted to be close to a Round-eye!

Our Programming lasted about 50 minutes, and we would repeat it on the base runs perhaps 8 times in a day at 8 different locations. (The Run Drivers were very important to us, for it was their job to get us to the right ‘next stop’ at the right time) and perhaps 3 or 4 times on each firebase.

If we were on a base at meal time, we would also man the serving line in the chow halls so we could greet the hungry GI’s as they came through for meals.

One day a week, I think it was Friday afternoons in Danang (In Cam Ranh the air base had their own Donut Dollie Unit) two of us would fill a big canteen with about 10 gallons of orange-ade and ICE, (a real treat in the tropics) load it on the tail-gate of an Air Force pick-up truck and head out to the flight-line at the air base. Hanging our feet off the back of the truck we would ride the flight-line, stopping at each hangar to visit with and dispense Short-timers’ Calendars to the mechanics who kept the Air Force planes running.

If we weren’t scheduled to travel, we would be assigned to the Center. There, we would play cards, shoot pool, play ping-pong, do art activities, join GI’s in the music room to play guitars, and, on special days like St. Patrick’s Day, would do program activities.

Did you ever have any “close calls” either on base or in any vehicles?

My second week ‘in-country’ my Unit Director, Pat, and I were caught in a fire-fight as we left Camp Viking …very scary…Turned out to be a sniper in the graveyard across from the Camp Gate…. we had to ride through exchange of pot-shots. No shots hit our truck… Lee (last name?) was driving… had a GI riding shotgun with a loaded M-16 in the truck back, as Pat and I rode nose to nose hunkered down on floor in the front seat.

It was that experience that made Lee decide we should learn how to drive the ¾ ton truck, so if that ever happened again, one of us could drive (we were not routinely permitted to drive any vehicle) while he joined the “shotgun” GI in protecting us.

On one firebase run, we landed right ahead of the General’s chopper, and, as was routine when the brass visited, a “practice red-alert” was started… What this usually meant was that, on a signal from the CO, x number of rounds of mortar and artillery were shot off. The problem that day was the when the rounds went out, one of the mortars doubled back and hit a bunker with GI’s in it. So the practice became a real thing! We quickly learned how to duck into the nearest bunker!

When the General’s chopper left with the wounded GI’s, the General called us into the TOC (Tactical Operations Center – a place we were NEVER permitted to enter for security reasons) and explained what had happened and how freaked out the whole firebase was at that “friendly fire” incident.

Then he said “You ladies have your work cut out for you today… Go out there and make those GI’s smile!”

It was one of the most difficult, yet rewarding days on my tour.

In Cam Ranh, our base had a ‘sapper-team’ come in at the start of the Easter Offensive of 1972… blew up some bunkers with GI’s in them… came through wire near the Minicourt we lived in. First time I heard outgoing artillery that wasn’t expected. (Had visited Artillery bases in Quang Tri so knew the sound…but wasn’t expecting it to wake us out of a sound sleep) Ended up we got evacuated to Cam Ranh Air Base… then they got hit… so went to Saigon and they started getting shelled!

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

Second week in country, a couple of days after the fire-fight I got a chance to go out to Spanish Beach on a day off with some GI’s from the radio station on Monkey Mountain… to an area known as “THE ROCKS”. As I was climbing down rocks, I slipped and cut my knee… Went to the dispensary on Camp Horn, where the medic dressed the wound… told me to come back the next day, gave me some crutches… went back, for several days, and noticed each time I went in there were more GI’s in “sick-call”… I wondered if they just wanted to see a “round-eye” getting her dressing changed… finally, when the gash wasn’t healing, I stopped into the Gunfighter Hospital on the Air Base and the Flight Surgeon took one look at the wound and said “It’ll never heal if they keep putting all that gunk on it”, so he ordered me into a cast for 10 days to, as he put it, “ keep the Army guys away from it so it would heal!”

Cast came off, and two weeks later I tripped down some steps on an Air Base run, sprained my ankle and had to go back to the same Flight Surgeon and same cast man and have a plaster splint on my other leg for 10 days!

When I went to the O club at XXIV Corps Headquarters, Camp Horn, (where we lived) for dinner that night, having missed chow-hall, I got a standing Ovation for my clumsiness!

What was it like to visit the soldiers in the hospitals?

Before going to Nam, I had been a Gray Lady at Valley Forge Army Hospital like my Mom had been years before, so I was familiar with hospital visits… The strange thing for me was seeing the GI’s straight out of the field… pretty challenging to deal with.

One day as we arrived at 95th Evac. we heard small arms fire. When we got to the door into the Red Cross Office, a stretcher with a body in a body bag was rolled past us to the ER…. Seems a GI had gotten orders back to the field after some weeks in the hospital and didn’t want to face going back out… so he talked a guard into taking a break for a smoke, and while the guard was away from his post, the patient took the guard’s gun and shot himself. THAT was a bad day!

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

My sister, the Navy Nurse, lived in California so when I returned to the states she talked me into staying with her a couple of weeks to ‘adjust’… I see now, having had a son go off to war, that I probably should have gone home to Pennsylvania, to my parents… but I didn’t want them to see the mess I was. I was dealing with a LOT of PTSD… in fact, until the LORD healed me several years later, I was a mess for several years.

What would you like people to remember and understand most about the women who served?

We were a patriotic group… we saw our classmates, brothers, cousins, neighbors getting drafted, and we wanted to do our part. There weren’t a lot of opportunities for women to show their support for our troops.

The women who were nurses got the worst of the war… Our job was on the other side of the bed… we were blessed that we could make a difference!

How do you feel Veterans think of your time having served with them? Have any Veterans expressed their feelings to you directly?

I have had some very positive interactions with Vets in the past few years… One local group has invited me to be part of their Honor Guard at Memorial Day Ceremonies each year, and a local Vets group invited me to visit them for their monthly meeting… when I was introduced as a DONUT DOLLIE, I got a standing ovation. THAT meant a LOT!!

What were your fondest or most interesting memories of your time serving in Vietnam?

Fondest memories…. The whole tour!

Special:

#1 Being called up onstage at the Bob Hope show so he could salute the work we were doing.

#2 Meeting Sammy Davis Jr. when he performed in Cam Ranh. (For security, the Vietnamese ladies who did the laundry were not allowed on base, so our Unit was asked if we would consider ironing for the performers. Some of the DD’s were insulted, but I thought it would be fun! And it was!)

#3 Meeting my husband… and all the wonderful guys I knew over there.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 10 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL THAT CAN BE SEEN HERE, JUST SCROLL DOWN TO READ EACH (AT THE BOTTOM, YOU’LL SEE A LINK TO GO TO THE NEXT PAGE OF DONUT DOLLIE DETAIL FEATURES)