After 28 years of marriage it was one of the best things that I “got out of the army”. I met my husband in Spain during a four day pass I got after being promoted to Captain. I still work as a Department of the Army Civilian as a nurse in Germany and have now been involved in assisting the soldiers in three wars and several conflicts-as an Army Nurse during the Vietnam era, an elementary school counselor for the 1st Gulf war and as a community health nurse for the 2nd Gulf war.

Of course, the Cold war was going on, too. My hope was an assignment in Vietnam but we started pulling out forces so I was sent to Germany where we received some of the wounded. I initially joined to help take care of the soldiers who were hurt since they did not ask to be there in the first place. Since it was a draft army it was made up of everyone from every walk of life. Everyone worked together, the chief nurse would come and help pass out meal trays. I have wonderful memories of working long 12-hour days, six days a week, with one weekend off every 8 to 10 weeks.

For a farm girl with three sisters it was a great way to get a college education. I joined the Army because it would pay for two years of college and then I would serve three years of active duty. There was a time when 24 hours seemed like forever and a week could be eternity.

I was living on my parents' farm near the little town of Seneca, South Dakota located in western Faulk County. Shortly after high school graduation, at age 18, I was drafted.

Tales of the Vietnam War from the Veterans who lived it.īelow, you will find an illustration of the Vietnam War told by the sons and daughters of South Dakota as they lived it through personal experience, heroic actions and tragic loss. Free Highly Rural Transportation Program.

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