Vietnam Veteran Interviews - Joanne Downes, Army Nurse Corp, 1969-1970

In conjunction with the exhibition Vietnam: The Real War at the Dubuque Museum of Art (Nov 13, 2021 - Feb 6, 2022), thirteen Dubuque area veterans share their personal military stories. These interviews were recorded September and October 2021 through a partnership with the Dubuque Museum of Art, the University of Dubuque’s Sgt Jeffery B. Dodge Veterans Center, and the Grout Museum District. All videos, copyright 2021 Dubuque Museum of Art.
Vietnam: The Real War is made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities with support from the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA), Cottingham & Butler, the City of Dubuque's Arts and Culture Special Projects funds, Iowa Arts Council and Humanities Iowa. Veterans’ health programs are made possible by MercyOne. The public radio partner is Wisconsin Public Radio. The views and opinions expressed by this program do not necessarily reflect those of Humanities Iowa or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

[@alangeddes268]

5 days in hospital in I Corp 1970. Angels in OD are the greatest. I thank you.

[@gordo46]

These nurses were true heroes I have so much respect for them and the corpsmen/medics and doctors bless them all.

[@henryfalcon8208]

such a cool lady.

[@tonymc55]

Everlasting gratitude. Thankful.

[@TerryBryant-oq1dn]

You're an awesome person and nurse...thank you for helping our boys.

[@siouxzgreene6274]

Such a heartfelt history. Thank you for your service.

[@michaelhemphill8575]

Respect to you Miss Joanne.."Welcome back to the World..!!

[@jamescarlson6723]

I was in Vietnam active duty 69-70 and was very happy to have had the many volunteers who also came to Vietnam to serve in many occupations. Nurses, donut dollies, etc. Including the many entertainment groups (Bob Hope and others.) Thanks to all of you.

[@billfeist2988]

God bless them all. Took a fellow soldier to 93rd evac hosp. They were great.

[@charliebecker2216]

Crazy to hear stories from a 70 year person talk about a 20 year experience that was traumatic. It’s taken them soo long to talk about it .

[@Jackie1952]

My husband, USMC Vietnam, 66-67 had our first son die from SIDS, our second son was born at 28 weeks, 900 grams. His daughter from his first marriage had to go onto birth control at age 12 because she was having problems with her ovaries. HER children, our grandson had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, he is in remission now, her daughter, our granddaughter has Endometriosis. I know for a FACT Agent Orange did all of this to us

[@sr633]

Been there and let us know about it. Thanks.