Gary Hutchison Memorial Chapter 1028

Vietnam Veterans of America

Susan at Camp Evans receiving her gear.

THEN

Susan served as a "Donut Dollie" in Vietnam in 1967-68. “Donut Dollie” Susan, was in country 14 months reaching out to troops in Chu Lai, Cu Chi, An Khe, and Bien Hoa.” 

NOW

Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO)

At the request of military authorities, the American Red Cross sent teams of young women—all college graduates—to Vietnam beginning in 1965 to serve as SRAO workers. Their main activity was to conduct light entertainment and audience participation programs for service personnel, featuring such things as quizzes, games and musical performances. They also served refreshments to the troops in the tradition of the traveling Clubmobiles of World War II and the Korean War. These so-called “Donut Dollies” provided their services at stationary Red Cross recreational centers and traveled by helicopter, truck and jeep to bring “a touch of home” to the troops in the field. In the peak year of 1969, 110 young women operated 17 SRAO units in Vietnam. It was estimated that they reached nearly 300,000 servicemen each month that year.

The Way We Were

Susan Dewitt

It's been decades since we served. But to many of us, it seems like only yesterday.  Today we are old and slow; but once we were young and swift.  For those who never knew us then; and for those who can't remember when, take a look back at​  the way we were: