Mike Hoyt: ‘Dollies’ meant a lot to armed forces

Tammy’s Grubb’s account of Larry Hines’ Vietnam tour as a “donut dolly” in the April 26 features article “Raleigh ‘Donut Dolly’ recalls Vietnam and her life in its aftermath” was both poignant and fitting.

Larry and the young women like her meant so much to those of us who shared that distant and lonely battlefield with them.

So much is being reported today about women in the armed forces serving in combat roles that we forget that Larry and her sisters in the Red Cross were in harm’s way every day more than 50 years ago. This recognition, and our gratitude, are long overdue.

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Mike Hoyt: ‘Dollies’ meant a lot to armed forces."