Vietnam: In Their Own Words

Peggy Lynd Kelly – American Red Cross, Vietnam 1969-70

Peggy Lynd Kelly, a native of Rochester NY, attended University at Albany graduating in June 1969. Six months later she was in Vietnam, serving with the American Red Cross. After her one-year assignment overseas she continued working for the American Red Cross in Wheeling WV.

In 1972 she became a US Army Special Services Program Director working at a Service Club (like a recreation center) on a US Army base in Grafenwöhr Germany, where she met her future husband, Mike. When her husband was assigned to US Embassy Bucharest Romania, she became the School Librarian at the American School of Bucharest.

She later worked for Fairfax County School System before moving to Havana Cuba where she was the Community Liaison Officer at the US Interest Section, now the US Embassy.After returning from 3-year tour in Cuba, Peggy worked as a Facilitator for the Youth Security Seminar at US Department of State, National Foreign Affairs Training Center, Arlington, VA

She and her husband Mike have lived in Vienna for 43 years and have 2 married sons and five grandchildren

Libbie Hegvik

Growing up an Army brat, Libbie moved quite often and had to make new friends every time. This helped her develop a passion for understanding people and their stories. Libbie has been in the production industry for 21 years and has always loved the work that goes into making a story come to life. The Donut Dollies story is near to her heart. Libbie’s mother was a Donut Dollie in Vietnam and her father a helicopter pilot. The Donut Dollie’s have been forgotten and overlooked for half a century and Libbie felt it was time for them to step into the light, so she created a documentary that released on April 30^th of this year.

Kerry Pardue

Served as a combat medic with 9th Infantry Division 1968-1969.  Chairman of Board,  National Association of Medics and Corpsmen.  Author and poet, two books, Poems In The Keys Of Life: Reflections of a combat medic and second book, Rice Paddy Stew and Saigon Tea.  He is also a painter and a creative writing teacher.

Adam Cochran, National Park Service, Park Ranger

Adam Cochran has worked as a Park Ranger on the National Mall since 1996. He loves meeting the countless veterans that have visited the memorials over the years. Adam also serves as a Wildland Fire Crew Boss fighting fires across the U.S.

Ceremony at The Wall