Vietnam: In Their Own Words

November 11, 2022
Vietnam: In Their Own Words
Story Telling at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial

November 11, 2022

Emcee – Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, PhD – Eastern National Advisory Group, Former VWM Board Member

Time
 List of Presenters
10:00 a.m.

Park Ranger Katie Monteith- National Park Service
10:30 a.m.

Joeanne Thomas – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Leaving the world better than she found it is the lifelong goal for Joeanne, so joining the Marine Corps was an easy choice. During her service, she learned of the large population of active duty and veterans who struggled with their mental health. After the birth of her daughter, Joeanne realized she could make a bigger impact elsewhere and left the service to pursue an education in psychology. Serving those who served became central to her goal. During her time at the University of Maryland, Joeanne also worked on a crisis hotline, which exposed her to the struggle and lack of access those with mental health issues face in the system. Often speaking to veterans, they told her of the stress they had trying to find a therapist or mental health care from which they could start to heal.

After finishing her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, Joeanne became a veteran wellness assistant in student affairs and continued her crisis intervention training. However, she realized that crisis intervention is a band-aid solution and saw how much work needed to be done in the mental health care system. It was then that she was introduced to Team River Runner, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote health and healing through paddle sports. After meeting numerous veterans who shared how spending time in nature helped reduce the impact of their mental illness, it became clear to Joeanne how much recreational therapy healed. In her current position working with former professional athletes, she hopes to continue promoting Adventure Therapy as a viable option for Mental Health issues.

Initiated during World War I, the title Gold Star distinguishes a family member who lost a loved one in military service. Today, immediate family members (parent, sibling, spouse, or child) receive a Gold Star from the Department of Defense, to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today we are honored to have two Gold Star Sisters speak and remember their brothers.
11:00 a.m.

Julie Kink sister of Warrant Officer David Kink, C Troop 1/9th Cavalry, Killed in Action August 3, 1969
11:15 a.m.

Susan Clotfelter Jimison, sister of Chief Warrant Officer Mark Clotfelter, Vietnam 1968-1969, 361st Avn Company, Killed in Action June 16, 1969
1:00 p.m.

Ceremony at The Wall

 

Story Telling at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial is an educational program presented by Eastern National and the National Park Service. We commemorate and honor those who served in the Vietnam War as well as in more recent conflicts.

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance with sound provided by Ohm Productions.

In 2015 the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation joined Eastern National. We are dedicated to honoring women who served during the Vietnam era. For additional information on the Memorial or its products and projects, including other educational programs or research on women who served during the Vietnam era, you are invited to visit the Vietnam Women’s Memorial website at www.VietnamWomensMemorial.org. Donations to the Vietnam Women’s Memorial which support these and other programs are always appreciated. To donate to the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, please write to:Vietnam Women’s Memorial Fund, c/o Eastern National
470 Maryland Drive, Suite 1
Fort Washington, PA 19034

Or email: vietnamwomensmemorial@easternnational.org.

If you would like to participate in the Story Telling program for Memorial Day 2020 please contact Nick Miano, Regional Manager for Eastern National at (703) 837-9099 or via email at nickmiano@easternnational.org. You may also contact the Memorial’s Advisory Board Chair Diane Carlson Evans via e-mail at vietnamwomensmemorial@easternnational.org.

If you or someone you care for finds that they need help coping with the aftermath of Vietnam, you are invited to call the Veterans’ Administration at 1-800-273-8255. They will assist you, including connecting you to the counseling services offered by Vet Centers located throughout the United States.

 

Marsha Guenzler-Stevens – 2022 Veterans Day from Vietnam Women's Memorial on Vimeo.

Katie Monteith – 2022 Veterans Day from Vietnam Women's Memorial on Vimeo.

Joanne Thomas – 2022 Veterans Day from Vietnam Women's Memorial on Vimeo.

Julie Kink & Susan Clotfelter Jimison – 2022 Veterans Day from Vietnam Women's Memorial on Vimeo.

Connie Evans from Vietnam Women's Memorial on Vimeo.