A Vietnam Memoir: Adventures of an American Red Cross Donut Dolly, 1968-69 (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781548802523)

Most jobs require some level of expertise, but few ask for the skills needed to become a Donut Dolly. These specialized Red Cross workers weren't simply required to work in dangerous climes where everything could go wrong in an instant-they were required to do so with a smile.

Pieced together from the many letters written home to her parents, A Vietnam Memoir follows young Rosemary Thunder after healing from a broken engagement. She finds friendship, flirtation, and adventure in the basecamps and on firebases in South Vietnam.

The dangerous working conditions aren't the only challenges Rosemary faces. Her job is to take men's minds off being in a war zone, mainly through the use of the recreation programs the Donut Dollies design, produce, and present wherever their schedule takes them by Huey helicopter. They are there to improve the morale of "our guys," and Rosemary takes her 24/7 job seriously. Rocket attacks do not deter her. And she won't get out of Vietnam unscathed. Several frightening incidents and a life-threatening illness present their own challenges.

Rosemary's story offers coming-of-age lessons in a very untraditional climate. Amid the splendors of Vietnam, Rosemary discovers new passions and lives amazing experiences she will never forget.