Rose Gantner - Donut Dolly | VBC Short Stories
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- At our last breakfast of 2018, Rose Gantner shared her story of serving in Vietnam. She was what the GIs called a “Donut Dolly,” because the Red Cross had a reputation for handing out donuts and coffee to GIs. But Rose never handled donuts. Rose was one of only four front-line Donut Dollies who served two tours in Vietnam. Rose deployed to Vietnam in June 1966-1967 and again in January 1969-1970. She was stationed on a forward-fire base, flying in helicopters and riding in tanks alongside active duty military troops. She spent one day a week in Saigon, and the remaining six days was in the field.
Recently, Rose and her sister, Mim, found her 50-year-old footlocker while cleaning her garage. She had forgotten about and hadn’t seen it since Vietnam. It is still in pristine condition, containing her fatigues, old photos, tapes, and traditional Vietnamese lacquerware.
We thank Rose for sharing her story, and her footlocker, with the VBC!
Like you, I had two NAM tours. 65-66, 69-70. What a wonderful attitude you have! Thank you!
That was great!
Thank you for your service!
You’re a saint Rose, for giving up 2 years of your life to lift up others. I was in Chu Lai, and DaNang, from September 67 to August 68.
Met a couple of these Donut Dollies only once during my year (2/327th 101st Airborne 69-70). But, hey, us 11Bs... we were just about to leave on our way out into the AO for ambush patrol so we didn't get much more than a hello and a goodbye! But except for 1 other time, they were the only American girls I saw that year! The one other time was a brief conversation with the gal who was the Miss America 1970, I think it was. Forgot her name, but could probably figure it out on the internet. Will always remember that!
wow!