Veterans Day Through The Eyes of a Donut Dolly
This Veterans Day we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. This magnificent bronze statue honors the 11,000 American military women stationed in Vietnam during the war.
Ninety percent of those women were nurses but others served as physicians, physical therapists and personnel in the medical field, air traffic control, military intelligence, administration and in many other capacities. Hundreds of civilian women also served as workers for the Red Cross, the USO, Special Services and other organizations.
Holley Watts is one of those women women who brought comfort and smiles to troops in Vietnam. Acting as a “reminder of home,” she would boost troop morale by visiting hospitals, playing games, and aiding the homesick. She was a Donut Dolly. Hear her tell her story at The Wall on Veterans Day 2013.
At a time when others chose to protest the war at home, these Donut Dollies chose to serve in Vietnam’s recreation program for the American Red Cross. Many of them were motivated by JFK’s “call to duty and service” and continue to hold a special place in a lot of veteran’s hearts as they gave our soldiers a “touch of home.”
As a member or and Webmaster (AFVN-RADIO-TV.org) for the American/Armed Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) Yahoo Group, I met Holly at an AFVN Reunion in Memphis in October 2014. And, since then, we have been in regular email contact. She is a fine person and one of the most “human/humane” human beings I have ever met. Among other things, since returning from Vietnam she has worked unceasingly to help many Vetnam veterans ”return home” in spirit as well as in body. Thanks to “Your Stories, Your Wall” for helping to publicize her efforts. Jim White, SGM, USArmy (Retired).
Holley – I was in Chu Lai in 67 thru 68 and got to be friends with several of y’all. Some of the relationships to this day. Also got invited to the screening of the documentary in Dallas several years ago. Hope I saw you there and probably did, but might have been drinking. What a great night about a small number of girls who made such a significant difference in so many lives. The fresh and fun approach to the visits probably changed more attitudes and raised more moral than can be imagined at the time.
You are One of a kind and have such a wonderful story to tell, and I hope you do tell it.
A special place in my heart for Jackie Norris – Lively – at the time of Viet Nam. Still see her and her family in Colorado and Texas.
You were and are a good’un. Highest compliment from a Texan.
Thank you for doing what you did. Big step for a young, educated girl, and thank you for the memories. Precious memories, how they linger.