In our fifth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Susan Heinzelman Ladnier tells about serving in Korea and Vietnam, being in a helicopter crash, and making a trip back to Vietnam for the first time since 1968.

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Please meet Red Cross Donut Dollie Susan Heinzelman Ladnier…

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

When I got out of college I wanted to travel but had no money. By joining the Red Cross I could travel and get paid for it. I also wanted to do my part for my country and the war. I started out in Korea. Was transferred to Viet Nam. On the way there, I stopped in Japan and Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand. Took R&R in Australia. Stopped in Hawaii on the way home.

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

Da Nang, Qui Nhon. Did TDY to Lai Khe and Pleiku. Arrived at Camp Humphries in Korea in 1967. Left in the middle of the Pueblo crisis and arrived in Viet Nam in the tet offensive of 1968. Had to stay in Saigon for awhile, as I could not get out due to tet.  I was known as Susie.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

Get up, transported together to the rec center. From there dispensed out in groups of two to different sites. We did games like jeopardy, etc. We traveled by jeep, helicopter. If we were in the field and fighting started, a helicopter would come get us. The guys just wanted to look at a “round eye” and talk. Some of the stories they would tell were heart breaking. From their girl or wife breaking up with them, to being home sick or traumatized by what they had seen. In the rec centers, there were pool tables, ping pong, cards, snacks. Sometimes we would have bands and wrestling tournaments. The fellows had to check their weapons when they came to the rec center at Freedom Hill. If there were any loud noises, everyone was diving for cover. In DaNang, we lived in a French Villa with guards. In Qui Nhon, we lived in a trailer. Looking back, I was so naive, I was not scared or worried. A couple times, I was able to get a radio patch back home to my parents. Out in the field, we ate the same rations as the soldiers. If we had to use the bathroom, they would hold up something to make a curtain. Needless to say, we tried not to drink a lot of liquids.

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

Had to get in bunker several times. Had to be evacuated from the field numerous times. Flew fast and low in helicopter so we would not get shot down on the way to outposts. Could hear fighting and loud ordinances going off. Was in a helicopter crash when I was in Korea. We were on our way to Seoul when on takeoff a rock got thrown up into the blade. Came crashing down into a rice paddy. Fortunately no one hurt but there were many scared Red Cross Donut Dollies. After that, the fellows, knowing what had happened, would auto rotate the blades to make it feel like we were falling out of the sky, just to scare us. They did. To this day, I do not like flying and would not go up in a helicopter unless it was an emergency.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No

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

Very emotional. Helped them write letters home and just let them talk if they wanted. Was stationed at Walter Reed when I got back. There were two very handsome guys who had lost multiple limbs in beds next to each other. Their wives had visited and had never come back. Felt so sorry for them. The two fellows kind of fed off each other and tried to make the best of it, but you knew they were devastated. In the states, I did hospital recreation at Walter Reed and Newport Naval hospitals. We did games, crafts and moral support. In Vietnam, we would visit the field hospitals where the guys came before being evacuated. Some of the fellows that were not too badly hurt, did not want to leave their buddies. There is not a day that I do not have flashback to my Vietnam days.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

Very hard and emotional. Could not understand why people were concerned about the trivial things in life like a scratch on your car. To this day, I tear up talking about Vietnam, hearing the Star Spangled banner and seeing GIs. I want to go up and thank them but I would start bawling. Loud noises bother me. One time at the beach, (my kids who know loud noises bother me and love to do loud noises) my son set off one of those packs of 144 firecrackers. My natural instinct kicked in and I dove behind a log. Of course, they thought it was hysterical. I had to laugh, too, after the fact. Fireworks and cannons going off make me jump. I was a nurse in later life. One time, I was getting report at the hospital, when jack hammering started. I was not expecting it and dove under the table. Of course once under there, I started laughing. The other nurse, looked under the table like I was nuts. Guess, it is called PTSD today.

In 2016, I made a trip back to Vietnam. It was such a beautiful country, I wanted to see it when there was not war. It was very emotional at times. We saw many Amerasian people. Evidently, they are not treated very well. China Beach in DaNang is now a resort area and very beautiful. There are a few hangars left but otherwise I would not have recognized the place. I was surprised that the people of North Vietnam were so friendly. I did not feel any resentment from the war. In fact, the young people would stop us so they could practice their English. Hanoi is modern but my impression is that it is not as well off as Saigon. Went to the War Remnants Museum and Hanoi Hilton museum. Saw many of the tanks, choppers, etc. that the US used. Interesting to read and hear their perspective on the war. Also went into the Cu Chi tunnels. So small, could not stand up and my shoulders touched each wall. They had hospitals, offices, and other rooms in the tunnels. Reminded me of an ant colony in structure. Also went to Hue, Nha Trang and Dalat. Went to a Montagnard village. They helped the US during the war.

Had meetings with men who helped us during the war and they told us of their years of forced re-education after the war. Also had lunch with 3 North Vietnamese soldiers and they told us of their life. One looked especially evil. The lunch took place at the home of a family that helped the US during the war. The people seem to have gotten past their differences and do not seem to hold any animosity toward each other or us. Our guide explained that the government is communist but they kind of look the other way, especially in the south, when it comes to capitalism in the marketplace. Cam Ranh Bay is now a Russian base and the nearby town of Nha Trang is like a vacation area with lots of Russians.

In many ways, Vietnam has modernized but in the countryside, I would say, it looks a lot like it did in 1968. The main difference is that they now have electricity in many places and cell phones. There is still the manual working in the field and the huts look the same with some modern houses going up.

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

We were there, as we wanted to do something for our country. I am glad you are doing your documentary as people do not know about us. On Veterans Day, I want to stand up and say, I was there, too, but I don’t. It was an experience that molded my life. It put everything in perspective. My motto when things are not going well – nobody died, nobody got hurt. I think of all those who did not get to come home or their lives were changed forever by injuries or mental trauma.

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

When I was a nurse, I would have lots of vet patients. They often would confide in me, as I could understand their struggles.

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

The appreciation shown by the guys that we were there. Several times, I would run into people I knew from the states. Small world. Vietnam was a beautiful country. As a matter of fact, I returned in Feb. 2016 to go back for the first time since 1968.

A fond memory is when I was a disc jockey for the military radio station on Monkey Mountain in DaNang. Once a week, a Red Cross girl would do the show, talk and play music for an hour.

FYI, I married a Navy pilot who I met while working for the Red Cross in hospital recreation at Newport Naval hospital.

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In our fourth edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Linnie Stone tells how during a mortar attack a brave soldier led her and a Donut Dollie sister to the safety of a bunker, plus how she devised a way to help soldiers clean up their language before returning home to the “real world”.

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 Linnie Stone…

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

Living in Hawaii after college, I did volunteer work at the Red Cross chapter. My job was to drive their station wagon to Honolulu hospitals, delivering blood supplies.

One day at the chapter, the manager helped me load the wagon, and asked about my job. When I told him I worked in recreation with local kids, he said, “we’re looking for college graduates to do recreation in Vietnam”.

My first thought was, “Are you kidding?”  But as he talked about the job, I became interested. So I applied and was excepted. I first reconnected with my family in California. Then I went to Washington, DC for training and to Saigon for more training.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam?

My in-country homes were:

Pleiku – October 1966 – February 1967
Long Binh – February 1967 – June 1967
Lai Khe – July 1967 – November 1967

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

Since I will discuss our many routines later, I will focus here on a specialized problem. I felt part of my job was to help our men clean up their language before returning home to the “real world”. When they thought the Donuts Dollies were out of ear shot, they swore freely.

One time at our Long Binh recreation center there were three men at a card table. One was facing me as I worked on props for a game. He kept using the “F” word, not realizing I could hear him. I wracked my brain to figure out how to stop him without his buddies knowing. Finally when he glanced at me for a moment, I put my finger up to my lips for “shhh”.  Shocked, he understood what I meant, and quickly looked at his two buddies. Of course, they hadn’t seen me. He immediately stopped using the “F” word and life went on.

At our Lai Khe rec center, the ping-pong table was out on the  veranda. It was on the other side of the wall to our office. As our men played heated games, the “F” word was yelled alot. Again I couldn’t figure out how to clue them in. Finally I found a picture of Charlie Brown and Snoopy and wrote on it, “Watch your language, Charlie Brown”, and posted it on that wall. It worked like magic, with no one embarrassed.

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

I was in 4 mortar-rocket attacks in Vietnam. At Lai Khe in 1967, it seemed we heard outgoing mortars every night. It was called “H and I firing” (harassment and interdiction).  One night at our rec center with two of us donut dollies on duty, I was running the poker party. Soon the usual H and I firing started up.  Suddenly someone yelled, “Incoming!”  I yelled back, “It can’t be incoming – I’m finally winning!”  But it was, and the men tore off for their bunkers with all the lights out.

The two of us Donut Dollies were stuck. Our rec center bunker was only half built… without a roof. So we headed for our strange, tall-sided French-style bathtub, where we kept our bulky supplies. We tossed out the supplies, climbed in and scrunched down.

Shortly a voice yelled, “Donut Dollies!  Where are you?”  “In the tub!” we yelled back. He followed our voices and then, after helping us out of the tub, he said, “Follow me to our bunker”. We hung onto each other as we crossed a wide open area in the pitch black night.

As we entered the bunker, the men couldn’t see us, and were telling racy stories. Our “protector” said, “Hey guys, clean it up. The Donut Dollies are here”. They not only cleaned it up, but also made hysterically funny comments for the next few hours. We were laughing so hard, it sounded more like a party than a mortar attack. But it helped us all get through a scary night when the mortars were exploding way too close.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

No, thankfully.

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

We visited our men in the hospitals on a regular basis. In Pleiku, there was a serious attack on the nearby 25th Infantry, where the only men who were left back at the base camp were short-timers (soon to go home).

The next morning we went to the 18th Surgical Hospital to visit our injured men. I approached one man who said he was supposed to go home that day. The night before, when he heard the incoming mortars, he sprinted for the bunker, tripping over a tent stake. When he hit the ground, his foot was sliced by pieces of hot shrapnel. Then he said, “The doctors couldn’t save my foot, but at least I still have my leg ”

I could only say, “You take care”. He said “Thanx for coming to check up on us”. I nodded and turned quickly so he couldn’t see my tears ready to fall. As I pulled myself together, I headed to the next wounded soldier.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

Returning home in the end of 1967, I enjoyed the peace and quiet of being away from a war zone. Being home with a loving, supportive family was so comforting. But our country was still being torn apart by the war.

In August 1968, I moved to Australia, where I lived in Sydney and taught ballroom dance for year.  I then traveled the country, working as I went.

It was what I needed… to be free of the Vietnam War, which had become a battleground at home in America as well as in Vietnam.

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

Donut Dollies had a choice to go to Vietnam, whereas the servicemen didn’t. Once I got there, I felt we could bring humanity and a touch of home to our men through recreation, conversation, and smiles.

And in the hospitals, nurses were saving lives. I admire them for being able to experience the daily challenges and tragedies they faced, and still focus on what had to be done.

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

I’ve been volunteering at a VA recreation program for nearly 4 years. Many of the vets have stories from World War II, and others from Vietnam. They seem appreciative that Donut Dollies were actually willing to volunteer to go to a war.

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

Some of my fondest memories are from working with our men at our Lai Khe rec center. There were four of us Donut Dollies working out in the field and at our rec center there. The center was open every day from 9 AM till 10 PM. Since I had had rec center experience in Hawaii, they decided my second day there to let me be a rec center chairman – yay!

In the evenings we had various programs, but Friday became the night for our special programs with all four of us there. With new man who had been out in the field a long time, our program usually started off slowly.

One of my first nights there, I was leading charades with four tentative men. As the game picked-up and others heard us yelling, they joined in. Two hours later with 25 enthusiastic man, we had to wrap up, since the center was closing. The final score was 94 – 82!

On other nights:
* we played blackjack using paper clips for chips
* we played Jeopardy for 2 1/2 hours
* we had a roundtable discussion with a heated debate over the popularity of softball vs. dragracing (their choices).  The men were all trying to out yell each other, while I was neutral but arguing points on both sides.
* we had a “psychedelic night”, where we brought out the washable paints to decorate everybody’s faces, arms, and legs. Of course we Donut Dollies were the first guinea pigs to be painted. Then the men got into the spirit of it, and painted each other, with lots of laughter, of course.
* with everyone decorated, we then had simultaneous jam sessions: folk music in the music room, and soul music out on the veranda with one man on piano, and three others harmonizing.

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In our third edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Mary Blanchard Bowe tells her experiences of close calls, spending time with courageous young men at the hospitals and playing Santa for the troops (see actual 8mm film of Mary handing out ditty bags to soldiers at the end of this post).

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 Mary Blanchard Bowe…

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

I needed a job after college. I was an army brat, so I like to travel.  My college suite mate, Dorset Hoogland, applied and told me about it. I was turned down at first, but after I returned from my time in Vietnam I found out my dorm supervisor spoke up for me, so I got hired because of her intervention.  It sounded exciting and different and I had never been there. I wanted to know what was going on.

When and where were you stationed in Vietnam?

Dong Ba Thien with the 18th Engineers, Pleiku with the 4th Infantry Division, Tuy Hoa with the Air Force, and Quy Nhon with the Army and Navy ships.

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

5 AM off to the flightline at the base camp to catch a ride to fire bases. We went to as many as we could 5+ days a week, got home to my desk, opened our C-rations or canned food and ate, visited, and went to bed or went to functions at home base then to bed. Covered our heads because rats would crawl over us in our Quonset huts.

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

Coming back from a fire base in a bubble helicopter (three of us) and the pilot was showing off, flying too low, we were fired at so we took off fast. Also, we almost always had suicide bombers come through the perimeter at night at Pleiku, so we spent time in the bunker.

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

A 2-ton truck slammed into the back of our jeep during a base camp run and I got bad whiplash in the neck, very sore.

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

The best experience of my tour was going to the hospital and visiting with the soldiers (I would volunteer on Sunday).  The injured were the most courageous soldiers I have ever known!  They loved to see us and had the greatest sense of humor ever! They were the most inspiring young men and inspire me to this day. With all they had to deal with, missing limbs etc., they always had a smile to give. WOW!

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

It was hard, I went through an emotional depression when I returned and was living in San Francisco. I would cry for no reason, walk the beaches, not want to do things. Just sorta living without being there. I pulled out of it and found out years later it was PTSD. Who knew then?

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

We served for the troops and wanted to bring a touch of home into their lives, they were so young and homesick. To let them know that America cared about them, because all they heard was about turmoil and protest going on.

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

There are lots of veterans so it’s hard to know the ones I dealt with from D Troop in Pleiku, but those in New Mexico treated us like movie stars with many sweet toasts and hugs at their events. They were very supportive, even those that weren’t there and knew about us. I am invited every year to D troop’s reunions. I feel so honored. They told me “you girls were more veterans then we were”. So sweet!

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

Playing Santa and visiting over 1,000 troops or more in a day, and celebrating at midnight mass with troops surrounding me, and then going with the priest, with me as Santa, around the perimeter in a jeep to lift their spirits.

Flying in all kinds of aircraft, especially the loach and bubble helicopters.

Making the men laugh and the pristine beaches where we would get to swim in water so clear you could see your toes.

Visiting and helping the Montagnard villagers with irrigation projects and seeing their village.  They were so hospitable and grateful for our visits. It was very impressive how they carried on in the midst of a war-torn country.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 2 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 second edition of the Donut Dollie Detail, Penni Evans explains how the words of John F. Kennedy moved her to join the Red Cross SRAO program.

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 Penni Evans…

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

I heard about the program while at Sonoma State and graduated early to go to Vietnam. The Peace Corps wanted languages and a two year commitment. Lots of anti war protesting in 68-69. I believed in what JFK said about what can I do for my country.

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

I was stationed at Cam Rahn Air Base in March – August ’70, Long Binh (II Field Force) in Aug – Oct ’70, Cu Chi in Oct. – Nov ’70, and Quang Tri in Dec. ’70 – March ’71.

My nickname from Cu Chi on was Chicken Little – in our unit and just a few others.  At Cu Chi we sometimes had a pick up game of softball and when I caught the ball – most of the time – I would make the sound that Chicken Man made on the AFVN Radio.  And we had lots of Red Alerts there too so the sky was falling!

What was a routine day like in Vietnam?

Nothing routine. At Cam Rahn Air Base (CRAB) either recreation center work or out in the field. At all others club mobile and staying in the office to put together programs. I have little memory of a routine day.

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

Yes

Were you ever injured while in Vietnam?

I had chronic tail bone inflammation and had two (painful) injections of cortisone in the tail bone – CRAB and Quang Tri. Still an issue to this day.

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

I had a real hard time. I remember one time taking some personal items from the field to an injured troop at II Field Force. Less badly injured were at the rear of the ward so I had to walk thru the ward of severely injured. At Quang Tri we were at 18th Surgical and one medic wanted me to write a letter for an injured troop. He had been going out on Christmas Day and we handed out short timer calendars as they saddled up. Then talking to a couple of troops injured out at an aid station in the DMZ. And walking into 18th Surg to hand out calendars and seeing a familiar face. I had a very hard time and was glad not expected to do that. Earlier on the ladies did a lot of hospital visits.

How was the transition returning home to the United States?

I was fortunate, came back briefly then traveled to Europe and backpacked for 6 months. Helped the transition. But learned early on not to say I had been in Vietnam. Took me until the reunion in ’83 to begin to realize I was not alone. Found a grass roots vet center who accepted me without a DD 214 and helped me.

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

We all had our own Vietnam, depending upon when and where we served, what we did.

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

Over the years most reactions have been favorable, only twice was I dissed. But the brothers have given us such support and love, even all these years later. And many sisters have learned about each other and give such love and support, no matter what we did.

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

The Bob Hope Show at Camp Eagle Dec. 22, 1970, Christmas Day 1970, flying safely off of Khe Sanh in the fog and night, playing scratch softball at Cu Chi, going to Sydney for R&R and celebrating my 23rd birthday there, General’s Mess at Cu Chi with General Davidson fixing me my Kaliua mist after dinner

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 1 PREVIOUS EDITION 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)