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 on October 21 at 2 p.m. at the Lima Public Library, 1872 Genesee St., Lima, NY.
She shares REAL war letters from REAL nurses and a REAL Donut Dolly she received from the combat zone and published in her popular News Journal newspaper column, Nancy’s Vietnam Mailbag, from 1968 to 1972.
Lynch compares their REAL experiences to those of Hannah’s fictional Army nurse, Frankie McGrath, a privileged Californian who served two tours in Vietnam after losing her only brother in battle—and found a path forward.
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.
Civilian women also volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as Donut Dollies for 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 the fictional Frankie but an indisputable reality for the REAL women who served, and died, in Vietnam.
Lynch promised in her last column in December 1972 to someday put all 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 her acclaimed Vietnam Mailbag, Voices From the War: 1968-1972.
Since 2009, Lynch, whose maternal grandparents lived on Canandaigua Lake, has saluted Vietnam veterans in the Finger Lakes to increase awareness of their service and many sacrifices. Lynch has written seven books, all non-fiction, and lives in Bethel, Del.