A Precious Time of Reunion

November 11, 2013 was a gloriously sunny day, much like the one 20 years earlier when brother and sister veterans gathered at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial to dedicate that beautiful bronze tribute to the military and civilian women who served our nation during the Vietnam War. It hardly seems possible that 20 years have passed since the dedication of the Memorial on our National Mall across the grassy knoll from the apex of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The American Red Cross Overseas Association kicked off our weekend with a November 8th Memorial Ceremony in the Memorial Garden at the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross. This Memorial Ceremony is held each year to remember and honor all Red Cross members who have passed away. Since Clara Barton gave aid to the soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, the American Red Cross has served the nation during every war and conflict. Today, the Red Cross has teams in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Djibuti, providing emergency communications for the U. S. military and their families. Visit the Association website to view an article about a Vietnam Donut Dolly who serves as a Disaster Volunteer.

Many hospital units, Special Services, and the American Red Cross took the opportunity to host reunions, and the men and women who served during that era came from all over the country to gather together, reminisce, and remember those who are no longer with us.

Jane Carson hosted a reunion of the 312th and 91st Evacuation Hospitals November 10th. Hospital personnel, spouses and partners attended.