Every Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation conducts “Storytelling at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial: In Their Own Words.” Stories are scheduled throughout the day, which enables anyone touched by the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, or by their own or another’s service, to tell their story. Recently, we have begun videotaping these stories, making them available to the world through our website. On this anniversary, scheduled presentations offered a wide variety of tales.
Francis Whitebird, an Army veteran, told his story and that of his good friend, Paul Critchlow. Francis saved Paul’s life in Vietnam and they’ve been fast friends ever since.
Dr. Sandra Lockney Davis served in U. S. Army Special services in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. She’s the Author of “So, What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This? Seoul to Saigon.”
COL. Doug More of the U.S. Army spoke of his experiences in Vietnam from 1964 to 1965 and 1968 to 1969. COL. Moore flew medevac helicopters in Vietnam. He spoke glowingly of the miracle work done by the nurses he encountered.
David Chung, a member of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation, served in Vietnam from 1971 to 1972. He helped drive the FedEx truck that took the Vietnam Women’s Memorial around the nation on its trip from New Mexico to its permanent home on the National Mall. On this special occasion, David remembered his late wife Cheryl, who served as a nurse in Vietnam.
Carol Kirk served with the Army in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. She spoke about her time in Vietnam and what it was like, day to day, for an Army Nurse.
Alan Wallace served with the Navy in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 and was also a firefighter at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He spoke about both of those experiences.
Marsha Four was with the Army in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. She serves now as Vice President of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Ann Kelsey served with Army Special Services Libraries in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. She presented the prepared remarks of Cathleen Cordova who also served in Vietnam. Cathleen unfortunately had to remain at home due to a recent injury.
Rachel Manteuffel recently won the Livingston Award for Young Journalists for her article in The Washingtonian Magazine, “The Things They Leave Behind.” She wrote of all the extraordinary mementos left behind by visitors to The Wall.
Allen Hoe, a member of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation, served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He spoke of his experience and that of his son, who lost his life in Iraq while serving with the Army.
She paid special tribute to LTC (Ret) Evangeline Jamison (Jamie), who passed away just this past October. Jamie served during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. She was a prominent force in the march toward a Memorial and in the years since speaking out for women veterans.
Brenda Jansons served as an Army nurse in Vietnam in 1968. She spoke passionately about her experiences.
Emily Strange served with the American Red Cross in Vietnam (1968-1969). She’s extremely proud of her Donut Dolly service and has often expressed her feelings and her experiences through her poetry.
Carol Rogers, Carol Brown, and Barbara Kautz served together with the Army in Vietnam, 1970-1971. They spoke of their experiences at the 24th Evacuation Hospital.
Linda Pugsley served as an Air Force nurse in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 and again in 1972. She later left nursing to become a minister.
Edie Meeks, a member of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation, served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. She spoke of her experience and of the time since the war and her work on behalf of the Memorial.
Susan Hunt Babinski served with Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. She worked in a civilian casualty hospital. She spoke of her personal traumas and growth.
Mary Tindall also served with the Army in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. She was at the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon.
Julie Kink‘s brother, David, was killed in action in Vietnam on August 3, 1969, at the age of 19. She spoke fondly of her brother and of the men who served with him. Just seven at the time of his loss, she spoke of trying to get to know her brother better through the men with whom he served.
Sarah Blum served with the Army in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. She has studied women and the impact of PTSD on women in her scholarly work since her service.
Nancy Smoyer (’67-’68) and René Johnson (’69-’70), served with the American Red Cross in Vietnam. They demonstrated many of the things Donut Dollies did with the troops in Vietnam to break up the seriousness of war and bring comfort to them.