Page 105 - A Soldiers Exposition

APPENDIX A:
AMERICAN WOMEN’S NURSING PROGRAM

Thousands of women volunteered to go to Vietnam, risking their lives to care for our country's wounded
and dying and to use their skills throughout the world in a variety of capacities.

They were virtually unknown until former Army nurse, Diane Carlson Evans, sought to acknowledge their
valiant service. Her vision was for the country to learn of and recognize these brave women by placing a
statue honoring their service near The Wall and the statue of The Three Servicemen. Sustained by her
respect for the women who served, she founded the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project in 1984 and was
joined by others to accomplish this rightful tribute.

Our War
By Diane Carlson Evans

I don’t go off to war, so they say,
I’m a woman.

Who then has worn my boots?
And whose memories are these,
of youth’s suffering?

I’m a woman and I’ve tasted man’s war.
Our war.
And he knows that I love in no greater way
than to share in his life or his death.

What are the rules?
Man or woman,
we are prey to suffer and survive together.

Please don’t forget me.
I’ve been through war’s hell and if only you will listen,
I’ve a story of those chosen to sacrifice for us all.

http://www.vietnamwomensmemorial.org/poems_5.php