Donut Dollies and the Vietnam War

Why a woman would ‘volunteer’ to go to a war zone, especially right out of college is a question Terre Deegan-Young is often asked. She chronicles her story and how the turbulent 1960’s and her family values lead to this life changing decision to join the American Red Cross and be assigned to Vietnam. She will explain the military’s request of ARC to provide a mobile recreation program that brings a ‘touch of home’ to soldiers fighting in combat zones. Through pictures coupled with humorous and heartbreaking stories, Terre will talk about her very personal experience during her tour of duty. She also addresses her return to the US, re-entry into ‘normal life’ and, as with other Veterans from Vietnam, a less than welcoming reception.
Terre Deegan-Young was raised, along with 6 siblings, in a suburb of Chicago in the 1950’s. She obtained a BA in Social Work from St. Louis University and then volunteered to serve in Vietnam with the Red Cross. She later received her master’s in counseling from CU/Denver. Upon graduation, she began a 25-year career with the Colorado School of Mines as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has lived in Golden for over 50 years where she co-parented her 6 children with her partner and best friend, Frank Young.