Veteran Transition & Independence Archives

June 2, 2026June 5, 2026

Supporting Invisible Wounds – PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD Awareness Month:
Supporting the Invisible Wounds of War

Every June, communities across the country recognize PTSD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), reducing stigma, and encouraging those who are struggling to seek help.

PTSD affects millions of Americans, including many of our nation's veterans.

While PTSD can develop after any traumatic event—including sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or violence—military veterans often face unique challenges because of the experiences they encountered during service. The effects can impact relationships, employment, physical health, and overall quality of life.

At Tee It Up for the Troops, we recognize that when a service member returns home, they often face challenges that extend far beyond their military service. That is why our mission focuses on six critical pillars of support designed to help veterans and their families thrive after service.

One of those pillars is PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment. These invisible wounds of war often go untreated due to stigma, shame, or misdiagnosis. Yet their impact can be profound—not only for veterans, but also for their spouses, children, caregivers, and communities. Through our grants and partnerships with organizations across the country, Tee It Up for the Troops helps provide access to programs and services that support veterans coping with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
PTSD Coach App

One of the most important messages of PTSD Awareness Month is simple: treatment works.

Many veterans and survivors believe they should simply "push through" their symptoms or handle them alone. The truth is that evidence-based treatments can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve quality of life. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness—it is a sign of strength. For veterans looking for additional support, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a free mobile application called PTSD Coach.

Designed for veterans, service members, survivors, and their families, the app provides reliable information about PTSD, self-assessment tools, coping strategies, and resources for finding professional support.

While the app is not intended to replace professional care, it can be a valuable companion alongside treatment and recovery efforts. Family members and friends can also use the app to better understand PTSD and learn ways to support loved ones.

Veterans can learn more and download the PTSD Coach app through the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

June 2026 events

Join Tee It Up for the Troops this PTSD Awareness Month and make a difference for veterans living with the invisible wounds of war.

This month, six Tee It Up for the Troops events are taking place across the country, providing opportunities to honor and support those affected by PTSD.

June 8 - Tee It Up for the Troops - Olympic Hills Golf Club - MN
June 8 - Congressional Charity Golf Classic - Army/Navy Country Club - VA
June 19 - Longest Day of Golf - Bunker Hills - MN
June 22 - Longest Day of Golf - Northern Bay Golf Resort - WI
June 29 - Tee It Up for the Troops - Carrollwood Country Club - FL
June 29 - Tee It Up for the Troops - Country Club of Missouri - MO

Click on an event logo to learn more and get involved.

Every participant, volunteer, sponsor, and donor helps fund programs that provide critical PTSD treatment, recovery resources, and hope for veterans and their families. Together, we can ensure that no veteran has to face these challenges alone.If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, remember: help is available, treatment works, and recovery is possible.

May 1, 2026June 1, 2026

New Women Veterans House Coming to Mankato, MN

The dream to build the nation’s first sober home for women veterans struggling with PTSD and addiction has been around since the original Bravo Zulu House project began, and it’s growing closer to becoming reality..

For many veterans, the hardest battles don’t happen overseas—they begin when they come home. The transition to civilian life can be isolating. For women veterans, those challenges are often even more complex. Access to resources, safe housing, and community support isn’t always easy to find. That’s why this new partnership matters.

Tee It Up for the Troops is proud to partner with Bravo Zulu House at the
15th Annual Tee It Up for the Troops – Mankato Golf Event

This event on August 24th will be to support the construction of a Women Veterans House in Mankato, Minnesota—a place designed specifically to help women veterans heal, rebuild, and move forward.

A Place for Healing and Stability - Coming Spring 2027!
This Women Veterans only home will provide more than just a roof. It’s being built to support women veterans navigating PTSD, sobriety, and the transition to stable, independent living. It’s a place where they can take the next step—not alone, but with support behind them.
Through this partnership, we’re expanding the ways our community can show up for those who served—meeting needs that too often go unseen.

For more than a decade, the Mankato Tee It Up for the Troops event has brought people together to honor and support veterans. This year, that impact grows even stronger—creating a direct, lasting difference right here in our community.
Bravo Zulu House identified a critical gap in veteran care and stepped in to fill it, creating the first sober living recovery homes specifically for veterans.
Now, they’ve recognized that women veterans are one of the fastest-growing segments of the veteran population—and that they need a space designed specifically for their recovery and healing.
Tee It Up for the Troops is proud to help bring this Women Veterans House to life.
Because supporting veterans doesn’t stop at saying thank you. It’s about showing up in the moments that matter most. And together, we’re helping build a place where women veterans can find strength, stability, and a new beginning.

How Can You Support?

Support can be given in many ways. Sponsor and golf on August 24th in Mankato. Donate funds or your time volunteering at Tee It Up for the Troops. Knowledge is power, Learn more about Brave Zulu House and their Spring 2027 Plans for the Women Veteran's House.

In March 2026, KEYC's reporter Aaron Stuve published a great report on the work being done on this project. Check it out.

March 2, 2026June 1, 2026

“Welcome Home” – National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day

“Welcome Home”

For many Vietnam veterans, those two words did not come in 1973.

In 1985, Vietnam Veteran Len Erickson, USMC, found himself sleepless at his hotel in Washington, DC. He pulled on his Marine Corps sweatshirt and walked into the chilled early hour as the dawning light broke through the darkened sky. Len’s feet led him to the Vietnam Wall where he was face to face with the thousands of names of soldiers that would never stand next to him.

Not many people were around on this quiet morning, except for another gentleman standing nearby. Len noticed he, too, was wearing a Marine Corps sweatshirt. The stranger looked at Len in earnest, stuck his hand out, and with a firm grip said, “Welcome home, Marine,” before continuing down the wall.

For a long moment, he couldn’t find the words. He couldn’t find a thought. He replayed those words in his head as he stared down at the hand that was still warm from the embrace. “Welcome home, Marine.” Why did this feel so strange?

Then Len’s eyes widened with awareness. It was 1985.

Fifteen years since he left Vietnam.

And that was the first time anybody had said welcome home to him.

Fifteen years.

For many Vietnam veterans, the wounds were not only physical, but they carried mental trauma of moral injury, isolation, and the quiet ache of feeling unseen. “We were there (in Vietnam) for a purpose, and I don’t think people understood that in the States.”

And he knew he was not alone. “So many veterans out there who haven’t been welcomed home.”

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A post shared by CreatiVets (@creativets)

On March 29, we observe National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, honoring the nearly nine million men and women who served during the Vietnam War era. We also remember the more than 58,000 individuals whose names the black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial displays.

A day that carries a deeper purpose for our Vietnam veterans. It exists to offer something many Vietnam veterans never received when they first stepped back onto American soil:

A proper welcome home.

“I went through a lot of trauma in the war, but the biggest trauma was coming home.” Len admits. “When I came home, I threw away all my uniforms because nobody wanted to know about it. I was shocked to find a country of indifference.”

“Welcome Home.”

For Len, those words changed something. Not the past. Not the memories. But the feeling of being seen. “It just made a big difference to me.”

It’s been 53 years since the end of the Vietnam War.

On March 29 this year, we have the opportunity to make sure no Vietnam veteran is left unwelcomed or unseen.

If you know a Vietnam veteran, take a moment. Look them in the eye. Thank them for their service. And say the words that still matter.

Welcome home.

More about Len Erickson, USMC

Len was born and raised in Northern Minnesota. After graduating from high school, he left to go to college in Colorado. Immediately after college in 1966, Len joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Quantico, Virginia; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida; and then Viet Nam. Len served with First Battalion Seventh Marines approximately 25 miles southwest of Danang. He arrived in Viet Nam during the Tet offensive of 1968, and left during the Tet Offensive of 1969.

In 1970, Len and his wife Bonnie married, and over the course of ten years, had three wonderful daughters. He owned a consulting firm that specialized in organizational development for over 20 years, and finished his career as an HVAC distributor.

Len is retired, and looks forward to golfing and spending many years with Bonnie, his wife of near nearly 53 years.

During REUNION, Len Erickson worked with one of our nonprofit partners, Creativets, in Nashville, TN, where professional songwriters turned his story into a song, which was later produced and performed by Scotty Hastings.

Hear Len’s song “Welcome Home”

Hear Len tell his story: On Fox News on Veteran’s Day 2025

February 2, 2026June 1, 2026

Shifting Purpose – The Journey of finding purpose beyond the military experience

Military veterans and family When you serve in the military, you are given a purpose.
You are given a job — your MOS (military occupational specialty code)
You are given structure.
You are given a new family — your squad, your platoon, the people who would stand beside you no matter what.
Maybe your role meant jumping out of airplanes. Maybe it meant running logistics, creating battle plans, repairing aircraft or vehicles, or spending months at sea aboard a ship.

No matter the job, service brings clarity.
Direction.
Belonging.
But when military service ends, that clarity often disappears.
The uniform comes off.
The mission ends.
And the family that once felt permanent is suddenly scattered.

For many veterans, the transition home isn’t just about starting a new job — it’s about losing an identity. The purpose that guided everyday life for years is gone, replaced by uncertainty and isolation.

Today, there are an estimated 16–18 million military veterans living in the United States. Each carries their own story — and many quietly struggle with what comes next.

That is why REUNION exists.

This year, from January 8–11, 2026, Tee It Up for the Troops hosted REUNION at Reunion Resort and Golf Club. 26 veterans came together in a safe, supportive environment — reuniting with comrades from their past and meeting other fellow veterans whose experiences mirrored their own in powerful ways.

This video is a look at the REUNION experience — a weekend filled with honest conversations, renewed bonds, and growth towards healing.

At REUNION, veterans are reminded of something many have forgotten:

They are not alone.
They are still needed.
And their purpose did not end with service.

For veterans seeking reconnection — and for sponsors who make this work possible — REUNION stands as a reminder that coming home is not the end of the journey.

Sometimes, it’s where the next purpose begins.

To learn more, support, or apply for REUNION, visit: https://teeitupforthetroops.org/reunion/

October 27, 2025June 1, 2026

For Some, November 11 Is More Than Just Veteran’s Day

For most people, November 11 is a day to honor those who have served our country. For Erik and Melissa Holtan, it’s even more special. The date marks Veteran’s Day, Erik’s birthday, and the couple’s wedding anniversary.

“It means a lot to me beyond just being my birthday,” Erik shared. “Seeing the pride of older generations finally being celebrated after not getting recognition before—it’s powerful. I’m proud to see the community come together like that.” Every year, Erik and Melissa start their morning at their local Hy-Vee, where veterans are invited for breakfast. “In a funny way, it’s nice to get free breakfast to celebrate our Anniversary.”

“We both served in the same unit, and that’s actually how we met,” Melissa said. “So it’s not just a day of celebration for us—it’s also a reminder of where our story began.”

As the years go by, the day’s meaning continues to grow for them. “Our anniversary is a date, but our marriage is daily,” Melissa said with a smile. This year, the Holtans will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a trip to a Liberty University football game in Lynchburg, Virginia—a getaway they started last year and hope to make a yearly tradition.

During Erik’s deployment in 2005, the couple leaned heavily on their community for support. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) wasn’t around yet when he served overseas, but once it formed, the Holtans didn’t hesitate to get involved. “We knew not everyone had strong family support,” Erik explained. “So we dedicated a lot of time to help local BTYR networks. I served as chairman for our local group, and Melissa was always there beside me helping at events. The community we served was so appreciative.”

That’s why Tee It Up for the Troops’ support of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon means so much to them. “When our local BTYR started, funding was tough,” Erik said. “Having nonprofits like Tee It Up for the Troops partner with us was such a blessing. ” People have needs the other 364 days too. That’s why local networks and nonprofits are so vital—they step in when families need help most.”

Looking ahead, Erik and Melissa hope the next generation continues that spirit of service. “We want our kids and grandkids to understand the sacrifices Veterans and their families make,” Erik said. “It’s not always easy, and we’ll need a new generation of support to carry it forward.”

Erik also encourages his fellow Veterans to stay connected. “Reach out to those you served with, even if it’s just once a year,” he shared. “Time moves fast, and those old friendships matter more than you realize.”

That message of reconnection is exactly what Tee It Up for the Troops’ REUNION Program is all about. Through this initiative, Tee It Up for the Troops brings together combat Veterans who were separated after deployment, giving them a chance to reconnect, reflect, and heal alongside their brothers and sisters in arms.

To learn more about the Reunion Program and how you can support future reunions, visit our REUNION page.

To learn more about the BTYR, visit, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.

May 26, 2025June 1, 2026

Invisible Wounds: PTSD in Veterans & How REUNION Helps

Help Veterans Heal from the Invisible Wounds of War

June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the mental health challenges many of our nation’s heroes face after returning home. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects hundreds of thousands of veterans and subsequently their families. It can lead to anxiety, depression, isolation, substance abuse, and tragically, suicide.

At Tee It Up for the Troops, we have learned that one of the most powerful forms of healing is connection—with those who’ve walked the same path.

That’s why we created REUNION, a life-changing outreach program designed to reunite veterans with the people who understand them best—their fellow comrades. These one-on-one reunions foster healing, trust, and hope.

Not only do we provide support for the veterans but also their spouse/significant others who attend. A key addition was to offer support to those who provide critical care and encouragement for the veterans in their lives.

Learn More about REUNION

Why Your Support Matters

REUNION helps veterans process trauma and rediscover a sense of purpose, hope, and belonging. Through helpful breakout sessions, reconnection through shared stories, and fellowship on and off the golf course, participants break the cycle of isolation and take steps toward healing.

Tee It Up for the Troops relies on companies, corporations, foundations, and individual REUNION sponsors and donors to assist us in reuniting combat veterans and helping them transition from the battlefront to the home front.

CreatiVets during the annual REUNION event

With your donation or sponsorship, you can:

Cover travel and lodging costs for a veteran
Provide access to mental health resources
Rebuild connections that combat PTSD’s isolating effects
Align your brand or organization with a cause that changes these heroes’ lives

Your support sends a powerful message to our nation’s heroes:

You are not alone.
You are not forgotten.
And healing is possible.

Are You or Someone You Know a Combat Veteran Living with PTSD?
If you or someone you care about could benefit from the healing power of REUNION, we invite you to reach out.
Learn more.

September 16, 2024June 1, 2026

Extraordinary Woman, Notre Dame Alumnus, and Tee It Up for the Troops Combat Veteran

When Tee It Up for the Troops combat veteran Danielle Green was growing up on the south side of Chicago, Danielle Green’s grandmother always encouraged her to “get out and be somebody.” At first, it seemed like basketball would be the way she’d accomplish that mission. After earning a basketball scholarship to the University of Notre Dame and becoming the 17th-leading scorer in program history, she had certainly gotten out and become somebody. However, after graduating with a degree in psychology from Notre Dame, Danielle felt she could do more to serve others, so she joined the U.S. Army as a military police officer.

In 2004, while patrolling on a 115-degree rooftop in Baghdad, Iraq, she was injured by a rocket-propelled grenade causing her to lose her dominant left arm. She was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. She had to re-learn how to do almost everything, reinvent herself, and find a new purpose. After eight months of occupational therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Danielle returned to Chicago to complete a master’s degree in counseling from Saint Xavier University. She embarked on a career with the Chicago Board of Education and continued with a career with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for 12 years.

Her passion for serving others has led her to help countless people over the last 19 years, including her support as a Tee It Up for the Troops combat veteran. She’s counseled warriors in mental health, aided in veterans’ transition to civilian life, and now travels the country to share her powerful story as a spokesperson with the Wounded Warrior Project in the hope that more veterans will reach out for the help they need. Danielle was recognized for her service when she received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2015 ESPY Awards. Danielle resides in St Petersburg, FL with her nine-year-old son Daniel, and her life partner Robert.

Veterans Give Back Hat Collection

Imperial, the premier headwear brand in the golf industry, has launched a special Veterans Give Back Hat Collection, in partnership with Tee It Up for the Troops. Each unique style in this collection was hand-selected by a U.S. veteran, and embroidered with their name, nickname, or call sign in their honor. A portion of proceeds from this collection is given back to Tee It Up for the Troops to go towards veteran services.

The D-Smooth – A tonal camo knit performance cap is named for U.S. veteran Danielle Green.

The D-Smooth cap in honor of U.S. veteran Danielle Green.Support our troops by buying one of these personalized hats HERE.

May 31, 2024June 1, 2026

Warrior Canine Connection’s Moondog is Named in Honor of United States Marine Corps Colonel Derek Donovan (Ret)

Meet Moondog! He is a 11-week-old lab puppy and Warrior Canine Connection’s Moondog is named in honor of United States Marine Corps Colonel Derek Donovan (Ret), friend and supporter of Tee It Up for the Troops and Warrior Canine Connection.

Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is a pioneering organization that utilizes its Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to help wounded warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other.

One of the unique ways Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) honors veterans is through its namesake program. All future service dogs are named after service members and veterans who have made significant contributions to our nation. It is with tremendous pride that Tee It Up for the Troops, along with WCC, name Moondog in honor of United States Marine Corps Colonel Derek Donovan (Ret). Derek was a great friend and supporter of both non-profit organizations.

USMC Colonel Derek Donovan (Ret) embodied inspirational leadership that spanned 27 years of military service. Trained as a UH-1N (Huey) helicopter pilot, USMC COL Derek Donovan’s (Ret) distinguished career included over 3500 flight hours, visits to over 70 countries, and living aboard U.S. Naval vessels for more than four years of his life. His extensive operational background included deployments with the Gunrunners, Golden Eagles, Blue Knights, Warriors, Ugly Angels, and Black Knights. His callsign, “Moondog” was awarded in recognition of an irreverent sense of humor and a great appreciation for a well-conceived practical joke.

United States Marine Corps Colonel Derek Donovan

COL Donovan holds the distinction of being the first Marine selected as the aide-de-camp to the Secretary of the Navy. As the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Air Facility in Quantico, Virginia, he provided critical Presidential helicopter mission support, showcasing his leadership in high-stakes situations. His last assignment on active duty was with the Presidential Commission for the Care of America’s Returning Wounded Warriors co-chaired by Bob Dole and Donna Shalala. Following military retirement, Derek continued to serve military members and their families while working for the Fisher House Foundation.

Rooted in a family tradition of service, with his father’s 30-year career in the United States Air Force and his mother’s service in the Army Nurse Corps, his commitment to duty runs deep. His exceptional career and post-military contributions stand as a testament to the values of the United States Marine Corps.

The namesake program has a profound impact on those being honored as well as their family and friends. COL Donovan was nominated by Tee It Up for the Troops with the blessing of Derek’s wife, Kathryn. Colonel Derek “Moondog” Donovan, USMC (Retired) completed his last flight and passed away on February 11, 2024, after an aggressive dogfight with esophageal cancer. Recently, Kathryn had the opportunity to see some pictures of Moondog and virtually meet the service dog named in honor of Derek.

“Our Service dogs have an important mission—to carry on the legacies of heroes like Col. Derek Donovan while helping recovering Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” said Rick Yount, Founder and Executive Director, of Warrior Canine Connection. “We feel it’s important that those Veterans have their stories told and their lives honored through our namesake program. We believe when a Veteran’s name is spoken, they are always remembered.”

Another distinctive aspect of WCC’s program is that it enlists service members and veterans to help train the service dogs for others. This No-Fail Mission aligns with the warrior ethos of caring for your brother and sister-in-arms. The veterans and service members doing the training know their hard work will contribute to helping a fellow veteran or service member in need, while also receiving therapeutic benefits themselves.

WCC’s volunteer-based, animal-assisted therapy involves service members and veterans in training future service dogs. Besides knowing the dog will one day go on to help a fellow veteran, many warriors involved cite their own benefits, including enhanced communication, confidence, accountability, emotional regulation, and patience. Photo Credit: WCC

It is with tremendous pride that we name WCC’s Moondog in honor of United States Marine Corps Colonel Derek Donovan (Ret).

Check out the link to their website for more information about this wonderful organization- Warrior Canine Connection.

November 6, 2023June 1, 2026

Honor America’s Veterans and Military Families

Give a Gift to Thank Veterans and Honor America’s Veterans and Military Families

November is a perfect month to honor America’s veterans and military families and thank those who served our nation in uniform. November 11 is Veterans Day, a day when we honor and give thanks to those who have served our country in war or peace. November is also Veterans and Military Family Appreciation Month, which is a great opportunity to recognize the sacrifices and contributions military families make that many times go unnoticed.

As we commemorate our veterans and their families, we honor the individuals who have served our country for generations — those who served out of honor, duty, and love for their country, and some who made the ultimate sacrifice.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of America’s veterans and military families, click HERE FOR EASY WAYS TO DONATE.

Give the Gift of Reuniting Veterans

What could be better than interacting with some of America’s combat veterans while helping them to heal and get back on course? What if we throw in playing golf on signature courses designed by three of golf’s greatest legends: Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Arnold Palmer?

Tee It Up for the Troops relies on corporate sponsors and donors to assist us in reuniting combat veterans who were separated due to battlefield situations. The game of golf serves as the backdrop for our signature REUNION event, January 10-14, 2024, at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.

We have developed multiple sponsorship options for differing budgets and commitment levels to help you honor America’s veterans and military families You can also contact us to see if we can create a specialized sponsorship opportunity for you!

Please click HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT REUNION SPONSORSHIP.

August 21, 2023June 1, 2026

The Nurses Who Served in the Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, a special group of all-American women stepped forward to serve their country in extraordinary ways. Known as “Angels from Heaven,” these dedicated individuals were not drafted; they volunteered.

They were the nurses of the Vietnam War, and their bravery, skill, and compassion saved countless lives on and off the battlefield.

Tee It Up for the Troops paid tribute to a group of Vietnam War nurses at the 2023 Tee It Up for the Troops Event at Mendakota Country Club.

nurses in Vietnam war

In attendance, honored and pictured left to right were: Mary Lu Ostergern- Brunner, Army Nurse Corps, 71st Evacuation Hospital, Pleiku, 1968-1969; Pam Barrows, Army Nurse Corps, 71st Evacuation Hospital, Pleiku, 1966-1967; Mary Breed, Army Nurse Corps, 95th Evacuation Hospital, Da Nang, 18th Surgical Hospital, Quang Tri, 1970-1971; Kay Bauer, Navy Nurse Corps, Vietnamese Provincial Hospital, Rach Gia, 1966-1967; Jeanne Mahaffey, Navy Nurse Corps, USS Sanctuary, Vietnam, 1971 – 1974; Lynn Bower, Army Nurse Corps, 24th Evacuation Hospital, Long Binh, Vietnam 1971.

Army Nurses in Vietnam: Stories of Courage and Commitment

Pam Barrows – Army Nurse Corps

“My best friend from nursing school and I entered the service together and we were supposed to be assigned to the same unit after basic but we weren’t,” said Army nurse Pam Barrows.

“We talked to those in charge and said ‘you promised’ we would be assigned together, and then they reassigned us both to Ft. Polk, which had the reputation for being the armpit of the Army. Hearing that we said we might as well go to Vietnam but had no clue what we were asking for!”

Nurses in Vietnam did whatever was asked of them. They often worked round the clock in massive casualty situations, directing triage, assisting with emergency tracheotomies and amputations, inserting tubes to assist surgeons, and removing damaged tissue and shrapnel from wounds.

Pam said they were called “Pluckers” because they plucked out shrapnel from wounded soldiers.

“Our shifts were 12 hours, 6 days a week and our incoming came by helicopter,” said Pam who worked in the Surgical ICU at the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku, Vietnam.

“It would be called a ‘PUSH’ and the wounded were triaged in the ER. Often when working day shifts, we might have to crawl to safety if under a rocket attack.”

Pam said there was a high mental stress side of military nursing. “We never knew what was happening outside of our compound.”

“We would hear groundfire close by when working nights and during blackouts. I worried about my fiancé who was a Company Commander of a Mechanized Infantry Unit with the 4th Division on the other side of Pleiku. I worried about rats coming into our ‘hootch’ or living quarters and rocket attacks.”

Mary Breed – Army Nurse Corps

“My brother was wounded in Vietnam and my friend from church, as well as my girlfriend’s brother, were both killed in Vietnam,” said Mary Breed.

“That is why I volunteered as a nurse to serve in the Army. I graduated from nursing school at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis in 1969 and arrived in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, on September 5, 1970.”

She worked as an OR nurse at the 95th Evac Hospital in DaNang and the 18th Surgical Hospital in Quang Tri.

“You can never prepare for war. You do not understand a war until you are there and in it,” Mary described.

“I still cry when I think of Vietnam and certain instances. Everybody that goes to war goes through PTSD because war is just not normal.”

Mary vividly remembers her 24th birthday in Vietnam: “I was cutting a birthday cake the cook had made when we heard a radio call that Hill 950, west of Quang Tri Provence, was getting run over with mortars.”

“Our hospital sent two ‘Dust Offs’ or Medevac helicopters. The fighting was intense and they could only get in with one helicopter that only evacuated one of three Americans. One soldier was later deemed missing in action and the other a POW,” Mary recalled.

“Back at the hospital, we awaited the chopper to return, which was tenuous because the chopper was being shot at and had to make an emergency landing at Khe Sahn. It turned out to be a good birthday because our two crews made it home safe.”

Support the mission to honor and assist veterans like Mary by considering a donation.

Kay Bauer – Navy Nurse Corps

Kay Bauer grew up in St. Paul with 13 brothers and sisters. Kay was a U.S. Navy Nurse for 35 years. She was one of two women in a forward surgical team of 7 people who worked in a provincial hospital in South Vietnam in 1966.

“The hospital had no running water, no electricity, and we had a generator in the operating room,” said Bauer in an interview.

Even the walk to work from her quarters became dangerous. At one point, she witnessed a U.S. helicopter getting shot down with bullets coming perilously close.

“The bullets went past, whoosh, whoosh. I will move a little bit faster here,” Kay said.

Despite the danger, Kay likes to remember the good times, like christening a boat in a nearby harbor or immunizing local children. “The other things are just too hard,” she said.

Shortly after returning home, Kay received an invitation to lunch at the White House where she was honored by President Johnson. He signed legislation allowing women to achieve higher military ranks, such as General or Admiral.

Kay retired as a Captain in the Navy Nurse Corps and still keeps in touch with the awesome women who served.

Watch an interview with Kay Bauuer that was part of Veteran Day news coverage from North Metro TV in Blaine, MN. Kay’s story begins at the .48-second mark in the segment.

GALLERY

The Vital Role of Nurses During the Vietnam War

This group of American nurses in the Vietnam War played a significant role in the war zone, providing high levels of care under extremely difficult conditions.

Despite their vital contributions, many nurses during the Vietnam War returned home only to encounter the same unfriendly reception as male veterans, compounded by the psychological trauma of their experiences.

Today, the nurses of the Vietnam War are still among the least recognized of American military veterans. Popular films and media often overlook their stories, but their legacy lives on through the gratitude of those they healed and the memories they helped preserve.

Learn more about how Tee It Up for the Troops honors veterans like these nurses: Tee It Up for the Troops.

How Many Women Served in Vietnam?

Nearly 10,000 American women served in Vietnam during the war. Of those, approximately 7,000 were nurses, many of whom were barely out of nursing school when they were sent overseas.

How Many Nurses Died in Vietnam?

Tragically, 9 American army nurses in Vietnam and 1 Air Force nurse lost their lives while serving, according to the Army Nurse Corps Association:

Captain Eleanor Alexander
Second Lieutenant Carol Drazba
First Lieutenant Pamela Donovan
Lieutenant Colonel Annie Graham
Second Lieutenant Elizabeth Jones
First Lieutenant Sharon Lane
First Lieutenant Jerome Olmsted
Second Lieutenant Hedwig Orlowski
First Lieutenant Kenneth Shoemaker
Captain Mary Klinker, USAF

Honoring the Hospital Vietnam War Nurses

The group of hospital Vietnam War nurses honored by Tee It Up for the Troops originally met through a support group at the VA in Minnesota. Today, they continue to support one another through annual potluck lunches and support.

Two of these remarkable women, Pam Barrows and Mary Lu Ostergern-Brunner, both served at the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku, Vietnam, an area known for heavy combat.

Although they worked at the same facility—Pam in the ICU and Mary Lu in the OR—they never connected while in Vietnam.

Once back in Minnesota, they met through the Veteran Home where Mary Lu was a board member and Pam was an Administrator at the Veteran Home in Luverne, MN.

A Lasting Legacy of Compassion and Courage

The nurses of the Vietnam War remain a symbol of unwavering dedication and courage. Tee It Up for the Troops is deeply honored to have recognized their invaluable service and sacrifice. Their stories remind us of the profound contributions made by women in times of war, often under the most challenging circumstances imaginable.

To learn how you can support veterans like these heroic nurses, please visit our sponsorship opportunities page or contact us.

God bless the “Angels from Heaven” who served with such compassion and bravery!

U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsPTSD Coach App