My name is Glenda (Storni) Graebe.

I was born in San Luis Obispo, California and graduated from high school in 1965. After attending junior college for one semester, I joined the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Ft. MCClellan, Alabama, and AIT Ft Leonard Wood, MO. My first duty station was The Military District of Washington and I was attached to the WAC attachment in Ft. Myer, VA. My MOS was a clerk typist.

My dad served in the Army during WWII and my brother was in the Navy during the Vietnam era. Dad was an MP and drove for a high-ranking officer. My brother was on the Kitty Hawk. Initially, I was going to join the Navy. My boyfriend at the time was in the Navy. However, while waiting to be tested, the Army recruiter came over, from across the hall, and before I knew it, I had joined the Army. Besides, I thought I would look better in green vs. white. In addition, I felt the Army had more opportunities. I was inducted into the Army at the main headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. and took my first plane trip and didn’t look out the window until half way across the United States. After landing at the airport, I was bused to Ft. McClellan and introduced to my new life in the receiving company during December 1965. I left sunny California for the cold in Alabama and spent both Christmas and New Years there! Basic training didn’t officially start until after January 1966. After completing basic, I went to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. for my advanced training.

I adapted very easily to military life. In fact, I had never seen so much food! I gained 15 pounds during my stay at Ft. McClellan. It was a good thing my uniform issue was two times my actual size. Maybe they knew something I didn’t know. Most of the girls lost weight because they were away from home………NOT me. The social life was exciting as well. I never had so much fun going to the club. I grew up on a ranch and there were no clubs. I learned to drink beer at Ft. Leonard Wood. I made a lot of new friends. My first duty station was MDW (no longer exists). I worked in an office typing orders and was there until December 1966. I went home on leave and then shipped out to Vietnam where I spent 18 months. I remember when I entered ‘in country’, in the middle of the night, sitting at the airport and having the Vietnamese men coming up to me looking, pointing and giggling. At first I was frightened but then realized they had never seen a red headed person. My first introduction to the hooch was by a large, tall, skinny green bug. I would try to leave and it would move to the right, I’d move to the left and it would move to the left. This went on for some time and finally I decided to stay in that evening. I had never seen a Praying Mantis before!

We went from skirts to fatigues without a complaint. We were soldiers through and through. I experienced “action” with incoming, night fire, explosions, etc. The biggest event was TET February 1967. It was very difficult witnessing the suffering, the wounded, and the dead. I worked in the orphanage, sat with the wounded reading to them, writing letters home for them, and seeing their pain. I came home and got out September of 1968. The worst part for me was coming home to the protesters, cursing, spitting and throwing garbage at us from my own countrymen. When I arrived in Oakland, I was told to “step out of my uniform and into civvies for my own safety”. Now how’s that for a reception? Our own families didn’t seem to care, didn’t ask, and didn’t talk about what we did. The communities didn’t care and our country didn’t care. There is so much I’d like to say to the protestors now, but it wouldn’t prove a thing. If only they would understand it is because of us who served that they were allowed to protest.

I experienced PTSD and didn’t know it at the time. It destroyed much of my life; ended my marriage and lasted well into the 80s until I married my current husband. He was understanding and supportive. In 2005, I entered the VA medical system and was properly diagnosed and treated. The worst was behind me by then. I guess what I can say is that my experience made me into the person I am today. I am now able to understand some of my “hang ups” and recognize the causes, thanks to the therapy I went through at the VA. I’ve learned a great deal about the emotional trauma that war can cause an individual. Through my experiences I am able to now help other Vets endure the trauma of wartime. I have made and am still making life long friends. We are brothers and sisters bonded by a war and coming home from that war. I have emerged strong and independent through all of this but still have bouts of bitterness and anger. I have never regretted going into the Army or going to Vietnam. I sometimes regret getting out though. I loved being in uniform and serving. I treasure the sisterhood formed through all of this. As often as we can, some of us get together for a week and have a wonderful time. We hardly ever talk about Vietnam. We just enjoy each other’s company and act like “girls”. It’s almost like we pick up where we left off. The sad part is that several of our sisters have passed or don’t want to get involved. They are still hiding from the demons. We have such a special bond.

When the Vietnam War was brought to an end in 1975, I didn’t even know it had ended or better yet, I didn’t care one way or another. I was too involved into my self-destruction mode and working on another relationship, which also ended. My first marriage ended after five years because of all my issues. I married my high school sweetheart/Navy boyfriend that I mentioned above. I am proud of my service. Now when someone approaches me and thanks me for my service, I am pleased. At first it wasn’t easy. But now I enjoy talking to other Vets. I wear my Vietnam cap and I belong to several Vietnam pages on face book. I think the more we talk the better we can heal.

There are other Veterans who have since returned to Vietnam. I have no desire to go back. I have issues going to a Vietnamese nail shop and listen to them talk. I’m not going and can’t understand why anyone would want to go back over there. I am retired today and do many things that bring me happiness. I work part time for the school district. I enjoy my church, my husband and friends. I live in a quiet community where we are one big happy family. My biggest accomplishment that I am most proud of is my daughter. She survived the worst time in my life. She witnessed some pretty sad moments and yet she loves me to the moon and back. She has raised three wonderful children and is married to her one time sweetheart (26 years). Another accomplishment is that I have survived and have been happily married to my best friend for 31 years. I credit my survival to his love and patience. He got me through the hard times.

Donna Lowery is a boots on the ground Vietnam War Veteran. She led the effort to capture the history of the women who served in Vietnam who were not nurses. Her book, WOMEN VIETNAM VETERANS has the stories of many of the thousands of women who served ‘in country.’ The book is compiled of information with great stories, and pictures and is available on Amazon www.amazon.com/Women-Vietnam-Veterans-…/…/ref=sr_1_1…

I am featured in several places. It is a must read. This will open up a new chapter for the enlisted and line officers, NON-medical.

My life is an open book. I no longer have secrets. It is time this country knows the truth about all who served.
~ Glenda Storni Graebe, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran

Comes A Soldier’s Whisper Veteran page is grateful to Glenda for her service and for sharing her story with us.

STORY LINK: medium.com/…/we-went-from-skirts-to-fatigues-d47846…