Fifty years ago Navy nurses began playing a critical role in the Vietnam Combat Zone. Nurses, as they tell the story, became substitute mothers, wives and sisters -- the shoulder to cry on, the women soldiers could share stories with that they couldn't share with other men. The Navy assumed medical support for military and civilian personnel in Viet Nam in 1963 with the first Navy Nurse Corps officers reporting in February of that year. Navy nurses attached to the hospital at the American Embassy were the first women members of the U.S. Armed Forces to receive the Purple Heart award in the Vietnam conflict following the Viet Cong terrorist bombing of Officers Quarters on Christmas Eve 1964. In 1966 the first sixteen female Air Force nurses arrived in Vietnam duty at the USAF base at Cam Ranh Bay. Within a short period women were filling the full range of nursing specialties. Most importantly, Air Force flight nurses assisted in the air evacuation of battle casualties.*
This Monday, Veterans Day, two former nurses, a former Navy nurse and a former Air Force nurse, now living in Punta Gorda, will talk about their experiences during that War at Kiwanis Veterans Park at 11 a.m.
Jean Carr, who resides in Burnt Store Isles in Punta Gorda was one of the Air Force flight nurses who provided care to servicemen during the Vietnam era. Ms. Carr, an Air Force Flight Nurse assigned to an air bus that took military patients all over the country, originally wanted to be a history teacher. She ended up being a part of America's military history. When her parents couldn't afford to send both her and her twin to college, they instead attended Nursing School in Peoria, Ill. and became RNs. Both signed up for the Air Force nursing program after finishing nursing school.*
Laurie Druyor, who now lives in Punta Gorda Isles, was a Viet Nam-era Navy Nurse,who after caring for injured marines and sailors at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital during the early years of the war, was assigned duty on a hospital ship offshore from South Viet Nam alternating between stations at Da Nang, Phu Bai, Chu Lai, and Dong Ha for a year, at a time was the war was escalating -- 1967-1968. "I have many incredible memories of the USS Sanctuary," she told us, " I remember the Medevacs coming in one after another, as many as 135 day." "I worked in triage; the ship cared for as many as 600 soldiers at any one time." she said, saying it was very emotionally draining. The USS Sanctuary in one year admitted 5,354 patients and treated another 9,187 on an outpatient basis.*
In addition to the Vietnam-era nurses, Vietnam veteran, twice-wounded John Ross, will speak of his "angels." and WWII nurse Grace Chicken will talk about her war time experience. All Military nurses attending the service will be acknowledged. If you served as one, contact Kim Lovejoy at 941-575-9002.
The US Paratroopers will be bringing in the colors, and guest vocalist is Marcella Brown.
Jean Carr, who resides in Burnt Store Isles in Punta Gorda was one of the Air Force flight nurses who provided care to servicemen during the Vietnam era. Ms. Carr, an Air Force Flight Nurse assigned to an air bus that took military patients all over the country, originally wanted to be a history teacher. She ended up being a part of America's military history. When her parents couldn't afford to send both her and her twin to college, they instead attended Nursing School in Peoria, Ill. and became RNs. Both signed up for the Air Force nursing program after finishing nursing school.*
Laurie Druyor, who now lives in Punta Gorda Isles, was a Viet Nam-era Navy Nurse,who after caring for injured marines and sailors at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital during the early years of the war, was assigned duty on a hospital ship offshore from South Viet Nam alternating between stations at Da Nang, Phu Bai, Chu Lai, and Dong Ha for a year, at a time was the war was escalating -- 1967-1968. "I have many incredible memories of the USS Sanctuary," she told us, " I remember the Medevacs coming in one after another, as many as 135 day." "I worked in triage; the ship cared for as many as 600 soldiers at any one time." she said, saying it was very emotionally draining. The USS Sanctuary in one year admitted 5,354 patients and treated another 9,187 on an outpatient basis.*
In addition to the Vietnam-era nurses, Vietnam veteran, twice-wounded John Ross, will speak of his "angels." and WWII nurse Grace Chicken will talk about her war time experience. All Military nurses attending the service will be acknowledged. If you served as one, contact Kim Lovejoy at 941-575-9002.
The US Paratroopers will be bringing in the colors, and guest vocalist is Marcella Brown.
* Sources: www.vietnamwarwomensmemorial.org, Charlotte Sun, December, 2012 interview with Jean Carr, Wikipedia, Interview with Laurie Druyor
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