The REAL Women: Veterans of Vietnam

About this event

Inspired by best-selling author Kristin Hannah’s hit historical novel, The Women, award-winning journalist Nancy E. Lynch presents The REAL Women, Veterans of Vietnam. Lynch will read REAL war letters from REAL nurses and a REAL Donut Dolly written to her from the frontlines and published in her popular News Journal column, Nancy’s Vietnam Mailbag, from 1968 to 1972 in Wilmington, DE. Contrary to public perception, about 10,000 REAL military women served in Vietnam. Not all were nurses. Barred from combat, they also worked in communications, intelligence, and administrative jobs. Hundreds of REAL civilian women also volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as Donut Dollies with the American Red Cross, and in various positions with the Army Special Services, USO, and as news correspondents. “Women can be heroes” was a revelation to Hannah’s fictional nurse, Frankie McGrath, but a non-negotiable reality for the REAL women who served, and died, in Vietnam. Lynch promised in her last News Journal column in December 1972 to publish the nearly 1,000 war letters and hundreds of pictures she received in a book to honor all Vietnam veterans. She fulfilled her mission on Veterans Day 2008 with the release of the acclaimed Vietnam Mailbag, Voices From the War: 1968-1972. Lynch has written seven books, all non-fiction, and lives in Bethel, DE