In our thirty fifth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Sheila tells how after serving in South Korea, the Red Cross asked her to go to Vietnam to set up new units, that the Donut Dollies were so well taken care of by the troops, and how her experiences changed her life forever.

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Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Sheila Otto Rosenberg…

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

The year before I served in Vietnam, I had been recruited out of college for the SRAO program in South Korea.  Upon returning home from that tour I signed up to work in American Red Cross (ARC) Hospital Services and was sent to Ft. Sam Houston, Brook Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.  I had been there about 6 months when the DC office called and offered me the task of going to Vietnam to set up SRAO units there.  The program was getting setup in Vietnam and few units were already were open.  It was 1966 and LBJ initiated the big troop buildup, sending 100,000 men that year alone!

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

I was sent TDY (temporary duty) to Long Bin for a couple of weeks until I could go to Phan Rang to set up the unit there.  I was at Phan Rang for about 6 months and then sent to Cu Chi to set up that unit until I returned home.  I was known as Sheila in Vietnam.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

We spent most every day in Hueys traveling out to forward areas to do our programming for troops who were on stand down for few days.  One day a week at Cu Chi we were assigned to go to 121 Evac Hospital to visit with the troops there.  Friday was for our staff meeting and for working on upcoming clubmobile programs that we would take out to the troops.  At Phan Rang we opened a recreation center where troops could come any time during the day for cards, games, coffee, etc. – like a canteen.

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

No, I was very lucky.  And when I think back about it, it was a very dangerous time there because so many areas were not secured, because it was at the beginning of the conflict and we never knew where the enemy was.  There were mostly expeditionary forces when I got there.  When I was TDY at Long Bin for that two weeks, we were mortared every night!  My introduction to Vietnam.  It was in the distance from our hooch and headquarters, but I can still remember the noise and the sky lighting up, especially when you had to go to the outdoor privy and you really don’t want to just then.  Same thing at Cu Chi sometimes.  We didn’t know it at the time, but that was such a strange place.  We had mamasans who were carrying grenades, etc. coming in.  They got rid of them of course.  It was tumultuous there the whole time and the reason being is we found out later we were living over the infamous underground tunnel system that the VC had built.  There were a few times when we were at Tuy Hoa for the day (it was just a staging area or forward area base at that time and we had to be out of there before dusk) and our pick up transportation did not arrive.  The CO was really nervous, but they always got us out.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No, I was not.  We were always so protected and well taken care of by the military.  I have never been treated better by men in my life than there! Love them for that alone!!

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

Of course it was tough.  We saw just about everything you can see.  But we generally saw them after they were patched up and healing.  I really saw much worse when I worked at BAMC (Ft. Sam Houston) before going to Vietnam.  There I worked the burn and trauma ward.  These were the worst of the worst who were medevaced home as soon as possible from Vietnam.  They were napalm burned.  Nothing worse than fire on the human body.  I still have images of a few of the men.  I wished for them to die.  It had to be better.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

I hibernated at my parents home for about 6 months.  I was happy to sit there and do nothing.  I saw a few friends who came to visit me there.  Then I went looking for a new job, as I had gotten out of ARC after Vietnam!  I was fine.  I went on to grad school and marriage, children, and the usual lives we lead.

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

We were not your average American girl, but girls who were part of a new generation of women who wanted adventure, more freedom, recognition, and authority!  Those experiences changed me forever.  I am a much better woman, mother and citizen because of them.

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

When I first came home, none of us who had been there admitted to being there because America was not friendly to returning vets.  Awful for them!  But we would have been submitted to the disdain as well, but no one expected women to have served there – especially in our capacity.  So I didn’t share it with many people.  But through the years as all that changed, the vets loved us and are so grateful for us being there.  They know we we were volunteers – like some of them were, but most were drafted.  I love them dearly and we have a special bond.

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

The men and what they went through and what they sacrificed for a civil war that we had no business being a part of!!  That’s all I can think of, really.  I am forever a Pacifist.  War is not ever the answer!!

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In our thirty fourth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Rose tells how both President Kennedy and her maternal uncle influenced her decision to go to Vietnam, how she was one of just a few women who served in the Vietnam SRAO program twice, and how the experience was life changing.

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.

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Rose Karlo Gantner…

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

In my era, while in college, President John Kennedy really moved me with his famous quote: “My fellow Americans ask not what you country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”  After being a teacher for a short time, I decided it was my duty and honor to give back more and knew in my heart and soul it was going to be Vietnam or the Peace Corps.

A special influence in my life was my wonderful and brave maternal uncle, M/Sgt. George Mamula, who served in WWII and the Korean war. He had distinguished himself quite early as a soldier, and was assigned to Merrill’s Marauders in WWII. During WWII, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor, for his bravery and outstanding leadership in Kumhwa, Korea, on September 9, 1951.  He was committed to his country, his Army and all his troops. I and others in my family, especially express much gratitude to him and others who gave so much to protect our freedom and liberty.  I will forever cherish the marvelous stories he told me as he made history come alive.

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

I believe I was one of only four American women to serve in the SRAO twice.  During my first tour of duty from June 1966 – June 1967, I was first assigned to Nha Trang before being promoted by my wonderful supervisor, Liz Miller Magnum and transferred as a unit director to Pleiku.  Along with others, we mainly served the U.S. Army troops, but also had an Australian troop in the HIghlands where we gave support and morale.  My second tour, in January 1969 – January 1970, I was asked by the headquarters of the American Red Cross, SRAO program and Quinn Smith, who was like our executive president, to return to Vietnam as the Senior Program Director to the 100 or so women who were stationed throughout Vietnam at the time.  I was stationed in Saigon, but only lived in the area one day a week as I traveled constantly to our 13 units deployed throughout Vietnam to offer leadership, guidance, support, and work with military leaders regarding logistics and safety concerns.  I was known as Rose during my time in Vietnam.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

Typically two young ladies (usually one from the North and another from the South or different regions) would travel as a team to the forward fire bases via helicopters, jeeps, and tanks.  Throughout the day their goal was to offer “a one hour break and morale builder” to our troops through recreational games and activities.  No day was ever routine, as we learned resiliency very early on.  We were affectionately called the “Donut Dollies.”  Refreshments were served during these times to allow the troops to relax and think about their loved ones.

We were blessed that some of the ARC girls (American Red Cross) had other training and experiences in Korea prior to Vietnam.  My supervisor did, and this sure helped to facilitate daily matters and to make good decisions.

If something happened in the forward firebase that was either unfortunate such as a recent attack, or sad days due to loss of so many brave men, we could modify our programs and try along with others, to offer comfort, hope and gratitude.  One great experience was jumping in the dirty pool of water with troops and having tons of laughter and feisty play.  I even got to learn how to shave a young soldier’s face!

After being in the field for 10 hours daily, after getting back to our base camp, we went to visit the wounded in the hospitals and to aid the nurses and doctors.  I loved the medical team who so bravely served our troops and tried to repair their wounds and injuries, while we tried to repair their hearts and spirit.

I was one of the very few girls who requested to see the troops who had depression and other mental health problems as these men were “forgotten” or perceived as not brave at the time.  Now, we know they suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.  This experience, especially helped me to learn my passion and purpose in life.

Another great experience was going out in the field and visiting the Montagnard villages and helping with hygiene.  We were led by Colonel Martha Raye, who also stayed with us for several days while touring Vietnam.

While I was supervising others during my second tour, along with about three other senior leaders, we had the “big picture” and had to decide what young leaders should be placed in what units and why, who should be promoted (now called talent management), and tried to match their skill sets (writing, history, drama, teaching etc) with their personalities.  When you have many young leaders sharing the same mission and passion, but small physical space with some rough conditions, it behooves one to think carefully of the personnel and placement (HR functions).  It was a joy to have the opportunity to work with high level military personnel as well regarding program selections, logistics and more.

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

Yes, as I traveled during my second tour throughout South Vietnam, I flew in many helicopters to get to many places in one day or more.  Occasionally, the close calls were more for an equipment or maintenance failure.  I knew if something terrible happened, I was going to be with the very best in God’s hands.  I trusted the soldiers completely, as they were so professional and genuinely cared about our safety too.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No

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

Initially I was scared to death, probably threw up when I first experienced some horrific scenes of soldier’s injuries and battle wounds, but got over it quickly, and then, responded, “What can I do to help?”  “What can I do to make it better?”  Many times it was just holding someone’s hand and letting them know you cared.  Living with nurses during my second tour really helped a lot and I am forever grateful for what they taught me.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

Difficult initially as everyone had such mixed feelings about the war and at what cost to lives, besides financial and geopolitical matters.  I remember playing a lot of music to heal my soul and adjust to normal life again.  I jumped right back to full employment, which certainly helped and started to focus more on the positives than to think about the negatives.

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

We were idealistic young, college graduate leaders who wanted to change the world and do a social good.  Because of the SRAO, we were given this privilege and honor to serve our country with pride.  Many young women came from military families or had someone in their family who influenced them to take this step forward.

This experience forever changed me and made me a more tolerant, kind, and compassionate person who always wants to continue to make a difference.  I know my “sisters” from the ARC all feel this similar or same desire with passion and purpose. This is why I later became a counseling psychologist and consultant nationwide, and personally provided pro bono treatment to soldiers and their families with PTSD for over ten years while having my Center for Life Coping Skills, in Columbus, Georgia.

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

Very positive responses from vets who after I thank them for their service, once they learned what my role was, turn around, and thank me too.  Not too long ago I attended a special meeting for vets in Pittsburgh, PA at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, and had several vets hug me warmly and asked me to join their group on the Southside of Pittsburgh, where I was born and raised.  There’s something very special about vets and always will be! It’s nice to be included and feel part of a “bigger family.”

I only wish that when the good Lord takes me to his heavenly home, I along with all other women who served in Vietnam (even though we were civilians and have no benefits), we could be honored with the American flag on our coffins too.  Perhaps this is something that should be suggested to our political leaders today?

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

Having the opportunity to serve and help shape other young talented ladies who shown a lot of humility and purpose, and who always would go the extra mile to accomplish our mission.  Making long term friendships with ARC girls and some vets that was built on integrity, trust, and solid character.

Having Colonel Farmer, from the Army in Pleiku, track down my first cousin, Jules Bobik, a brave enlisted soldier serving in the southern portion, for me, and coordinating with others to have us visit together for a few days in Vietnam.  Awesome!  Tears and joy forever!  He is now in Heaven, but I know Jules is looking down and smiling from above.

Meeting my former husband, Charles J. Gantner, Jr, who was an Army Captain and aide during my second tour.  After 12 years of marriage, we divorced, but have fond memories of our experiences together.  I am delighted he has since remarried.

Having the opportunity to do the SRAO service twice and to continue to learn, grow from mistakes, and become the person I am today who is very contented, healthy, and enjoys a great quality of life.  I’m always ready and willing to continue serving in other new capacities as a recent retired person.

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In our thirty third edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Terry tells how her mother inspired her to go to Vietnam, how she still looks up when she hears a helicopter, and that she has fond memories of visiting China Beach and an orphanage in Danang.

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.

Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Terry Lee Harmon…

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

There were several equally compelling reasons that I volunteered to serve with the Red Cross in Vietnam.  I suppose first was the inspiration of my mother, a Woman Air Force Service Pilot in WWII.  Vietnam was on our minds.  My friends were being drafted.  When I graduated from college I was already aware of three friends/schoolmates who had died serving in Vietnam.  My mother had found a way to serve her country during war, and I was looking for a way to serve mine.

I also certainly was inspired by John F. Kennedy’s powerful words in his January 20, 1961 Inaugural Address “…ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”  It was patriotism.  There were protests, and the press reporting was conflicting and incomplete.  I wanted to understand the war and the sacrifices.  I was looking for a way to be engaged.  I was looking at options of joining the military, but positions for women in Vietnam were limited.  Then I read an article about the SRAO program in my sorority magazine.  I contacted the Red Cross, applied, and was accepted.

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

My first base was Cam Ranh Airbase (March 1970 – August 1970) and my second base was Danang (August 1970 –August 1971).  I was known as Terry in Vietnam.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

I don’t really remember anything being routine.  I remember being very focused on what we were there to do… bring a bit of diversion or per the title of the Arrowhead documentary on us, “A Touch of Home”.   Generally where I was assigned, we worked one day a week in our recreation center and flew out to firebases the other days.  I know we had some time off, but I don’t remember it being one day a week.  Often time off and evenings were used to work on the next program.

The day we worked in the center we played cards, pool, foosball and just chatted with the soldiers, airman, marines, and sailors who came in.  I never did pick up pinochle which was most popular, so I usually sat and watched and chatted with the guys when they were playing cards.  We also worked on our game-based programs that we took out to the field.  We also spent a good part of any time off we had working on our programs and upcoming events for the recreation centers.

I loved the days we traveled the most.  The military took care of us.  We always traveled by chopper.  To this day the whop whop whop of a Huey makes me look up and recall Vietnam.  There was nothing like the response you got from the guys when you started out a program… “Hi, I am Terry from Silver Spring, Maryland.  Anyone else out there from Silver Spring?”  We just fell in love with the American GIs.  Most were probably there due to the draft.  Conditions on the firebases were rough.  America was in turmoil at home with protests.  They always treated us well and were glad to see us.

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

No.  Once I was on a firebase and they were shooting at the VC.  Any incoming was not making it to the base.  No one took cover and some of the servicemen were taking photos.

During both of my assignments I was housed on bases with or near airfields.  Maybe we were too complacent, but at night we got used to sleeping through the sound of incoming rockets.  The target was the airfields and the rockets seemed to reliably land in the vicinity.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No.  While I was in Vietnam we lost two Donut Dollies.  One was lost to what we were initially told was a respiratory problem, and which I believe ended up being Guillain-Barre Syndrome.  I remember getting updates, it seemed like over the course of two weeks.  We were told she was too ill to transport home, and then we were told she had passed away.  I did not know her.

The second Donut Dollie was murdered in Cu Chi while asleep in her bunk one night.  Her throat was slit by a GI who we were told was on drugs.  One of the witnesses was transferred up to our unit in Danang.  I admired this DD very much for not asking to go home.  After this our barracks had a guard. (editor’s note: a third Donut Dollie died while serving in Vietnam of a fall from a Jeep, as well as two male Red Cross workers)

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

One of my most poignant memories of Vietnam was visiting a solider from Texas in the hospital who had lost both legs.  He made it easy to visit him.  He was so proud to be a Texan and to be serving his country.  He had a huge Texas flag draped on the wall behind his bed.  I often think about him and hope his country did not disappoint him when he arrived home.

Other than that one particular incident I just remember helping the men write letters home.  When I returned home, I volunteered for the Red Cross at Walter Reed Hospital.  When the wounded came off the ambulance, I rolled their gurney to a pay phone and placed their first call home for them courtesy of the Red Cross.  This was in 1971 prior to cell phones.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

My return home was pretty routine.  I came back through Travis Air Force Base.  I remembered I was looking forward to getting a hamburger and fries at McDonald’s.  I returned to Maryland.  As with the GIs, I really didn’t talk about the experience.  I also don’t recall anyone asking much about it.  I think people could not relate to where you had been or what you had done.

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

The GIs loved the Donut Dollies and we loved them.  We were patriotic, fun loving and were looking for a way to support our servicemen (and it was only men where we served, though at some locations we shared barracks with the nurses) regardless of the political climate.

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

I mentioned my mother was a Women Air Force Service Pilot in WWII.  I traveled to a lot of events with her over the years and would occasionally meet a Vietnam veteran.  If I bring up that I was a Donut Dollie they always thank me.  I think there is a feeling that we were in it together.  The Vietnam GIs feel a common bond with us, and they appreciated that we volunteered to serve in Vietnam and bring that touch of home to them.

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

I remember thinking how peaceful the country seemed in the evenings, and yet I was in a war zone.

I have a fond memory of getting off the plane at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon worried about what I was going to encounter.  I looked across the tarmac and saw a group of GIs playing volleyball.  This one tall blonde head stood out, and I thought that looks like Bill, one of my high school classmates.  Sure enough it was.  Just incredible.  We still talk about it to this day at high school reunions.

I remember China Beach with fondness.  Sunning on the beach and enjoying lunch on the patio of the China Beach Club.  I had the opportunity to return to Vietnam a couple of years ago.  I could not recognize anything.  All that was left out there were the shelters that our planes used to park in at MAG16.  Of course, Marble Mountain was still there.  I was thrilled to walk up the mountain and see all the tunnels, etc. where the VC supposedly hid out.  I also visited the Cu Chi tunnels outside of Saigon on this trip and could not believe what it was like down in those tunnels.

Back to Marble Mountain, I am reminded of the time while escorted I went to a small village near Marble Mountain and a woman wanted to sell me her baby.  When I returned to Vietnam I also went to Hanoi.  The contrast to this day between what was North and South Vietnam is striking.  Though I had planned to visit Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) once I got there, I chose not to.

We didn’t really get much in the way of security briefings.  When I travel overseas today, I always remember how I was surrounded by a group of young children on the streets of Saigon and had my pocket picked.  They only got $20 so I was lucky.  I was on my way out of country to R&R in Australia and had wisely left most of my money back at the office.

The Texas veteran I mentioned previously is a fond memory of the spirit and of our GIs and the pride they take in their service.

I like to think about the work we did in Danang with an orphanage, and how creative the children were at making up games with anything that was available.  In most cases the Vietnamese people were very nice.  I do remember visiting a market in Danang and several older women spitting at me.  The men who worked in our recreation centers were very helpful and creative, as well with ways of improvising when tools were not available.

I always liked working with the Green Berets in Ban Me Thout.  One time they took us to a Cambodian Refugee camp.  Another time they took me and Penni (we always traveled in pairs) to visit a Montagnard home and the owner took us for a ride on his elephant.

There were disturbing stories related to us sometimes when we talked with the men who came to the recreation center.  Most disturbing were the stories of an airman who would tell me about taking up prisoners to be interrogated in a plane, holding a pistol to the prisoner’s head while they interrogated and threatening him with being pushed out of the plane, and in some cases actually pushing them out of the back of the plane.  Never having thought about or being exposed to anything like this, I still to this day don’t know what to make of it.  I could see this taking its toll on the airman, and this would probably fall under some degree of PTSD for him today.  Given the airman’s intensity in relating this to me day after day, I believe there was truth to his story.  There were also the servicemen who kept re-upping (serving multiple tours) and couldn’t seem to go home because their reality had changed so.

I suppose I should also relate some memorable experiences with the marine helicopter pilot I ended up marrying, but later divorcing.  I met him at a party at MAG 16.  He had been pulled back to fly a general after nine months of action, which eventually earned him two DFCs and a silver star.  As a pilot for the general, he had a helicopter assigned to him so he was able to fly across the street from MAG 16 to the Navy barracks where I lived.  We would go to the officers club and have dinner and dance and hang out and then he would fly back across the street.  One evening he asked me if I wanted to go for a ride.  So I got in the helicopter and we flew around the area and saw Danang from the air at night.  I think he pushed his luck when he buzzed the MAG16 airfield.  After he dropped me off, and flew back to MAG 16, they were waiting for him.  He ended up getting a reprimand and being assigned to work with the MPs the last couple months of his tour.  One night while we were talking on the phone, there was an explosion and I heard scrambling and then the phone went dead.  I did not know what had happened.  The next day he called me from the hospital and explained that a marine on drugs had thrown a grenade into the office where he had been sitting with several others.  He had shrapnel wounds, but would be ok.  They ended up medevacing him out of the country.  The marine who threw the grenade ended up in prison back in the US.

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