| Introduction | Chapter One | Chapter Two | Entertaining Vietnam | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six |
Chapter Four
Your Entries
| Received on 27 December 2002 |
|
You came to my helicopter unit in Vietnam. I really enjoyed talking with you because you actually came to the unit. I know you dont remember me,
I was a helicopter pilot and infantry combat platoon leader, a 2nd Lt.
It seems like yesterday, and the memories of the good times and the bad
times of war will never leave me. God bless to you and your family, you made a difference. Thank you Harvey Schwab |
| Received on 8 December 2002 |
|
I want to thank you for entertaining my fellow vets in Vietnam. I am a veteran of Desert Storm and too young to have gone to Vietnam myself. I can remember my own USO shows throughout my 20 year career and how they gave me a taste of home. I never saw combat myself other then hearing Scuds coming overhead but I thank you from the depths of my heart for helping those young men during a difficult time. As I read your entries and read names I could almost see the men in my mind's eye and they were so very young. If deeds help earn a place in heaven then surely you have secured yours. Be assured that the Vietnam Memorial is as much for you as it is for those men and women. You served just as they did. I would ask for an autographed picture Mamie but I know some dreams do not always come true. You take care Mamie and like all other Vietnam vets - YOU DID GOOD! And WELCOME HOME! Your friend |
| Received on 26 June 2002 |
|
O.K., here goes. I'm going to e-mail you at long last after gathering my courage. There's a lot I want to say, but I know how busy you are so I'll keep it short. Think back about how many hundreds of guys over all of the years that have told you how beautiful and wonderful you are. There have been a lot of them, and they were all correct in their opinions of you. I, too, think you are beautiful and wonderful. I've been quietly in love with you since I was about 13. But what I love most about you is the way you treated our guys in Vietnam. I don't know of any other entertainers who went into the war zone (and stayed there) to entertain our men. That took courage and dedication, especially when you became ill! It seemed like the rest of the country hated our guys, but not you. You were there with them showing your support! Thank you for all you did for us in that terrible period of time. I nearly had to go to the war. I was called up, but developed some health problems that required minor surgery and they made me 4-F. I was scared to death, but would have gone if called. You could have been entertaining me. I would have definitely been in the front row! I love your soul, sweetheart. You are truly a terrific and wonderful lady! My two favorite movies of yours are Teacher's Pet ('The Girl Who Created Rock and Roll"!!!!!) and Three Nuts in Search of a Bolt. Have a great life and stay forever young and gorgeous as you are now. (I'm trying to do that myself. Ha! Ha!) Your loyal and loving fan, Larry Walker
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| Received on 22 March 2002 |
| Dear Mamie - Mamie, I found your site while randomly searching the web. It certainly brought back an old memory of my tour in Vietnam. I was a a very young Air Force military policeman stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon in 1971. On what would have been a normal, dark and lonesome night guarding the flightline, a beautiful lady approached me (alone) while waiting for a helicopter (I believe). Of course, it was you. I don't remember a lot of the conversation but it was mostly small talk (where we were from etc.). You didn't tell me until just before you left who you were. I was totally dumbfounded that such a celebrity would take the time for one lonely Air Force GI. As you left, you gave me your autograph on a piece of torn paper I had. It has long since disappeared, but I will never forget your kindness. You certainly are beautiful and famous, but to me, you are a warm, kindhearted human who cared for the servicemen overseas. Please accept my belated thanks and appreciation for brightening up lonley night and making it one to remember and cherish. Sincerely, Gary L. Aspin Thank you for the lovely email. I remember the incident well. I had just arrived from out in the bush after a fast ride in a Cobra piloted by a guy named Bo. We encountered enemy fire on the way and I was scared and still high on adrenalin. Because the Cobra was much faster than the Hueys carrying my musicians and conductor, I had time on my hands and wanted someone to talk to. You were it and you were sweet. You and the rest of the guys who served--those who came back alive and those who did not--have my undying gratitude and admiration. With love... --Mamie |
| Received on 21 February 2002 |
| Dear Mamie - I'm a Vietnam veteran who (unfortunately) never got to see your show while in country. I did get to see a couple of the USO shows, but not yours. However, I would still like to express my thanks to you and all like you who, knowing the danger, were willing to try and cheer up an otherwise dreary place. I was in country 366 days, 8 hours and (if I counted right) 32 minutes. During that year, I rode river boats, and I saw enough horror to last a lifetime. Yet, strangely enough, I decided to re-enlist and ended up staying 30 years. Twenty-two years later, I found myself the leader of a group of young 'boat guys', heading off to war again, this time in the Persian Gulf. I remember thinking how young my troopers were, and then remembered - that was me when I was there age. And in the seven months we were in the Gulf, I watched them age many years, much as I had done in the Nam. Thank you for a great website, and thank you for being there for us when the rest of the country was looking the other way. I hope to run into you one day, to shake your hand and give you a big hug. Love ya, Jack Spratt |
| Received on 14 September 2001 |
Dear Mamie, I am a Marine Viet Nam veteran. I served in 67-68, including at Khe Sanh before and during the Siege. I just saw your Viet Nam diary, and was touched by your words, then and now. You were one of the big heart-throbs in those days. I remember you from shows and such in the States. You know a lot of men would have given their chances of Heaven for a night with you. I never saw your shows there, never met you, and don't know a thing about you except the things in your diary, but I want to thank you. Thanks for your taking your time and chances to be there for us. Thanks for being so kind to so many men, regardless of rank. Some of the girls only had time for the brass. Your obvious sweetness and tenderness shine through your words. Some of the stars were phonies, just in it for their ego. I think you were there for the troops. Though I never did meet you, and probably never will, consider yourself hugged and kissed by me and all the guys, living and dead, who would have loved to had the honor. You are the epitome of a good woman, and a good person. Semper Fidelis, Jim |
| Received on 07 January 2001 |
| Hello Mamie, I am a 50 year-old Vietnam Vet. I have been recently
classified as 100% disabled service connected. It seems I developed
degenerative arthritis in my knees, and back due to military service during
the Vietnam war. That is not why I am writing you.
I have been a fan of yours for many years. I just wanted to thank you for
being there for guys like myself during our time in hell. I never got to see
or meet you, but I am one of those who carried a folded picture of you in my
wallet for quite some time. You are one beautiful woman, as well as one
loving, caring, special human being. Thanks again. From Mamie: And you're pretty beautiful and special yourself, soldier. Love, Mamie |
| Received on 04 December 2000 |
| my friend was in nam and he drove for you show and setup some stages and whatever. I met him after he came home and he talked about you. still had a polaroid that was taken with you when he died from agent orange in 86. HE asked to have that pic buried with him and it was. Mamie you were his only nice memory from asia and thanks for making his life little nicer. you wer hot and ya still are hot glad i saw this site. |
| Received on 18 October 2000 |
| Was it really April? I remember your show in Dong Ha, a few miles north of
Quang Tri. You kissed a kid named Huff who just had his teeth pulled. We had
just returned from 86 days spent in the mountains north and west of Khe
Sanh. You were a kiss from home and very special. Though I was just one of
the grunts in the crowd, I've always thought that Mamie was special because
she remembered us. Seems the other shows never went further north than Da
Nang or maybe Phu Bai. The thought of you crying because you missed home nearly makes me cry. Thank you for remembering us and caring enough to risk your own life to bring a bit of home into Hell. Herb Coburn B Troop, 3/5 Cav [1971] 5th Mech Inf Div (Red Devils)
When I requested permission to post Herb's letter,I received the following on 03 December 2000 You may put up my missive of 10/18/200, including my name, if you wish. But, first, a clarification. 3/5 Cav was the scout squadron of the 9th Infantry Division which worked in the delta, south of Saigon, through 1968. When the 9th's colors were returned to Fort Lewis, WA, 3/5 Cav was diverted to the DMZ where they came under the 'operational control' of the Red Devils. We were essentially between the DMZ and 5th Mech, which, as you know, was stationed in the Quang Tri / Dong Ha / QL 9 area; 50 miles north of Hue where the 101st Abn was stationed -- the Eagles who called themselves 'Northernmost'! We were out in the field so often, they probably didn't know there was anyone around Quang Tri. Anyway, members of 3/5 Cav wore the 9th Inf Div shoulder patch (commonly known as Flower Power). During the operation into Laos in Jan/Feb/Mar of 1971, I believe the 5th Mech came under control of the 101st Abn. In any case, we were told to wear the Eagle shoulder patch which was delivered to us up in the mountains. We put on the eagle, but left off the 'Airborne' swash over the top. Soon, orders came down that we would wear the 'borne' patch, or else. We had our choice; 'Airborne', 'Chairborn', or 'Osborne'. Osborne was the Squadron Commander.
From Mamie: During the time I was there, things got bad. I was wearing a teeny mini-skirt with heels. Col. Osborn suggested that I wear a pair of his fatigues and boots in case things got bad. I still have them and my poncho/body bag. Red clay from Dong Ha is still on the boots.  Herb continues . . . The 5th Mech left Quang Tri shortly after your visit to Quang Tri, sometime in June or July. 3/5 Cav stayed behind until late October, patrolling the DMZ. I hold the distinct honor of being the last American soldier to leave the Quang Tri firebase. A SSG Morris and I spent the last two nights in Quang Tri alone. Our job was to go through the entire firebase and ensure nothing was left behind that might be of use to the enemy. The day before we left, an Infantry Company from the 101st Abn which had been providing security, helicoptered out. That left myself and SSG Morris alone on the firebase. I made sure he stepped on to the highway first come the following morning -- it was a once in a lifetime chance. There's more to the story, such how I found an M-16 which I was unable to turn in as we hitch-hiked south to Da Nang for processing out. Nobody wanted an extra rifle when their time came to leave, or the foot-locker full of 30-cal. M-1 cartridges we found. The SSG and I held our own fireworks display. Mind you, we weren't the last Americans in Quang Tri -- MACV was still stationed at the Citadel in Quang Tri when I left. 'course, a few months later I watched them get pushed out on Easter of 1972. I am now participating in a PTSD support group at the Spokane VA Medical Center. This is a special group of veterans who have gained some measure of control over their lives and are exploring ways to compensate against the symptoms. Our goal is to lead a life that becomes more rewarding as we age. I have been asked to invite you to one of our meetings, should you ever find yourself in the Spokane or Coeur d'Alene area. We meet every Monday afternoon at 2:30pm on the 7th floor of the Medical Center and would love to find out how you survived the years after the war. Herb Coburn PS: One last request. One of the group members has asked me to request a lock of your pubic hair. It would be treasured as one of his finest memories of the war -- possibly the only good thing to come of it. Thank you.
Sorry to say I'm clean shaven these days. Tell the boys that if I ever decide to let it grow, I'll send some clippings. |
| I received the following email on 18 September 2000. |
| Dear mamie, Just a few lines to say hello, and to give you a long awaiting THANK YOU, where in the midst of your great career you stopped dead in your tracks and somewhere, the voice inside your head cries out-ENOUGH! Mamie, you mustered up the courage to go to Vietnam, knowing that the Veterans who did make it back alive, found when they returned, not only were they blamed for that War but also were outcasts because they did what their country asked them to do. You could have lost your career, and life, with casualties all around you in Quang Tri, Vietnam, but it seems that your heart told you what to do, and you did it your way. I want to let you know I went to your web site, and loved it very much, I did not get to see all of it yet, but I will return soon to see the rest of it. Mamie, you are a incredible person, your mix of beauty, wit and charm that's ideal for today's world. You are one of the most enrapturing beauties to grace my eyes. I was at Con Thien ( the hill of Angels ) in April of 1971, and did get to go see your show, because I was in Quang Tri, recovering from a gun shot wound I received in combat just 3 weeks before. It was great, and I will always remember it as one of the times I could put the Vietnam War out of my mind for just a little while, so again Thank you very much for what you do for this great Country of ours. Ms. Van Doren, if its not asking to much, may I put a link from my web site to your web site? My web site is about the Marine Corps, Friends, Country Music, and Oldies Music, and links to other clean site's. Again, thank you for caring about us in Vietnam, from just one of your adoring fans. Semper Fi. Highest Regards, Murdock,sends |
| Remember no man or women who enters the life
and death competition of combat returns the
same, the best one can do is to come home and
do the best he/she can. The ones who did not
make it home are not forgotten, they are carried
in the life time memories of those who did make it
back home. God bless them all. John Murdock |
| Bless you, John Murdock. Semper Fi. John Murdock's web site can be found here. Love, Mamie sends. |
Today is his last battle, In this here war torn landWritten in April 1968 In Saigon, Viet Nam by (Then) SSG O.V. Rocky Rollison |
| EMAIL: 8/20/00 Dear Mame: I appreciate the fact that you like the poem. I was very emotional when I wrote it and if I try to recite it, the way it was truly written, I get very water eyed. You have my permission to put my poem on your site and if you so desire, you may use my name. This proves that I did write it and I have the honor of knowing and talking to you, MAMIE VAN DOREN, who at the risk of her life, came to Viet Nam to help the moral of the troops. Thank you in more ways than I can even begin to count. You are the angel of many of the troops. Hope to hear from you soon. And by the way, thanks for the XOXO - - MAKE MY DAY.....By the way, May I have an autograph photo of you so I can say I am truly honored in knowing you. My snail mail is as follows: Love Rocky EMAIL FROM MAMIE Dear Rocky, Thank you so much! Your photo will be on the way this week. Your poem is up on the Apocalypse Then Chapter Four. I found new in country photos the other day and created a Chapter Five. I'm putting your kind letter up under your poem as well. Stay well. Peace. Love, Mamie xoxoxoox
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| Dear Ms. Van Doren, Just another Viet Nam vet wanting to drop you line after looking at your web site. There are probably thousands of guys who met you during your tour in Viet Nam, but I had the pleasure of actually flying you from Chu Lai to Da Nang in 1971. After all of these years the memory is still a little blurry but I vividly remember the assistant division commander at Chu Lai inviting you to ride in his aircraft (my Huey) to Da Nang. At reunions of the Viet Nam Helicopter Pilots Association, I recount the story of how I flew Mamie Van Doren and I always get thos sly little "sure you did" smiles. I certainly appreciate your sacrifice to entertain the troops, even though I never got to see your show. Would you please let me know how to request an autographed picture of you that I might take to my next reunion? My name is [removed for privacy] and I was a warrant officer helicopter pilot in Viet Nam from 1970 to 1971. Thank you taking the time to read this and best of luck to you. Mamie Note:I remember you very well. Thanks for taking good care of me in the not-so-friendly skies. Your picture is on the way. Love, Mamie |
The Pilot's response to Mamie's email reply: Dear Mamie, Thank you for such a quick response. I would certainly appreciate the picture and it will accompany me to our next reunion. Just the fact that you would take the time out of your busy schedule to answer my request says a lot about you. Since this is the 25th anniversary of the fall of Saigon there has been a lot of coverage about Viet Nam on the news lately. I am sure from reading your web page that this has stirred a lot of memories for you. I hope you realize just what your presence meant to the guys you entertained. Even now after almost 30 years, the experience of flying you in my helicopter has been a highlight of my life. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity. PS. If you ever get to the San Jose area you have an open invitation for a visit. My wife and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on May 2nd and she would be just as thrilled as I would to meet you in person. THANKS AGAIN! From Mamie: Ciao, baby. |
I am making this entry in the diary because of email I've received in the past month or so. I get a lot of email from Vietnam Vets who read and identify with the stories in this brief diary. I appreciate hearing from all of you. Believe me. These two stories are worth sharing. One of them I can reveal the author the other I can't. (When you write to me, I always respect your request for privacy if you want it.)
My name is [withheld], someone who resembles you a lot, which you already know if you've checked out my picture. I'm a pre-op TS...who will be operated on...in Thailand. At that time I also expect to get 1000cc Euresilicone silicone implants.
I'm 61 at present and will be 62 [soon], so we're pretty close in age too. During my male life, I was a graduate in the second class at the AF Academy ('60), an Air Force pilot during the Viet Nam war, and an airline pilot for 27 1/2 years until I retired at the end of '93. Most of my time was spent flying for Piedmont, which was acquired by USAir in '89.
A lot of AF Academy grads are just like me for some reason. I was at Electrolysis 2000 in Dallas a couple of months ago talking to a '67 grad while looking at his/her chest. We're both B cup size now, and though we weren't wearing bras, I almost had to laugh.
[On the subject of serving in Vietnam]...If you had been in the Delta a few years earlier, you might have been able to pet a full grown tiger. He was almost a pet. The Army guys kept him on a chain in a quadrangle at Soc Trang. I petted him, but I cheated. He was asleep.
I can understand better now why your attitudes about things are so much more mature than most females, even those exposed to tinseltown. You found out the meaning of life in those wards over there, didn't you? Remember the smell of cordite, of bodies whose parts have been blown off.
I just want to tell one story and then I'll get off the line. I was the pilot of a C-130 walking away from the flight line at Danang one afternoon in late 1964 when a major grabbed me and asked if I'd mind flying to Clark AB in the Philippines. We had been going all day and there were limits on how long we could be on duty. When I told him we were out of duty day, he said that he had a life or death situation on his hands. He pointed to an old DC-6 air evac airplane and said that it was down because of a faulty nose gear strut, that he had 38 wounded marines over behind it, many of whom were dying, and somebody had to get 'em to Clark. I told him that if he'd call Tachikawa and have the wheels waive my duty time limits that we'd do it.
He did and we, the crew, watched as a bunch of orderlies and some Army nurses loaded the Marines onto our airplane. It was a sight unlike any I had ever seen. Those two women went among those guys and touched or spoke to them, or helped hoist them aboard, or just smiled their way. I had never seen men in such need of comfort and hope and haven't since, and I have never seen anybody give love by such simple acts as those two did. I almost cried as I watched. When they were almost loaded, we went onboard and did our thing. It didn't take long since we had just walked off the airplane.
During the flight I walked into the back and the two nurses were still at it, touching, talking, adjusting, checking, anything to give comfort. I did my part to help them by answering questions and telling them how much longer it would be before we got them to a hospital. As I remember we had the TGT (tailpipe gas temp) on 932 degrees Celsius, the hottest we could run the engines without them burning off the wings. When they hauled the Marines away, nobody would tell me if any of them had died enroute. I'd guess that several of them did because they were covered in bloody casts all over their torsos and extremities.
When the movement to have a memorial dedicated to the women who served over there I wrote Sam Nunn a six page letter and told him that story. I doubt that I did any good, but the memorial became a reality. I have no way of finding those two nurses, but if I could, I would. I'd do whatever I could for them to show my appreciation for their selfless actions that day. Sure, it was their job, but it was a dirty job, one that men aren't very well qualified for and they did it marvelously.
So Miss Movie Star, you got a taste of reality. I'm glad. It made you a better person, as it especially did those of us who lived it for an extended period. Hope you take time to write back.
I did. If those nurses read this, please let me hear from you.
On a lighter note, a few days ago I received the following email from another Vietnam "brother."
Dear Ms. Van Doren, I was stationed in Phu Bai, RVN (1970-71) during your USO tour through the area. I was the one standing at the front of the stage. I had a new roll of film for my Polaroid and took 9 pictures of you during your act. As I went inside the EM Club with the photos, your assistant (also a very beautiful young woman) stopped me and asked me if she could see the pictures. She asked if she could have two of them for publicity. I agreed with the stipulation that you take a photo with me. You agreed and we stood arm in arm while a drunk sergeant snapped my last Polaroid of us, out of focus. I still have the blurred photo and look at it from time to time.
I think of how beautiful you were (and I'm sure still are), how lucky I was to have been there at that point in time and how unlucky I was to have had only one picture left! The reason for this e-mail? I just came across your home page and I believe that I saw one of the photos that I took displayed in Chapter Two of your Viet Nam stories. It is the black and white photo with you running off stage to the left. I'm not truly sure if it is one of mine or not because mine are in color. Everything else in the photos seem to be the same other than the b&w and color difference.
If you would like to present the same photos in color on your web page, I would be honored to have you use them. Just let me know. You were gracious enough to autograph one of my photos " To Don, Love and Everything."
I will bow out with the same, Love and Everything,
Just a fan, Don Sansing.
The black and white photo wasn't the same one that Don took, but I think it was taken the same night by the military newspaper "Stars and Stripes." I told Don that I would make up for the out-of-focus Polaroid by sending him an autographed picture signed: "To Don, Love and Everything," of course. He emailed the following priceless pictures of my show at the EM club.
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Copyright
Mamie Van Doren 1999-2000
December 30, 2002