Welcome Home, Sister is a feature-length film about a group of female American Red Cross volunteers, known as Donut Dollies, who served during the Vietnam War. I am focusing on one of these volunteers, Penni Evans, whose life, first of service, then of post-war suffering, exemplifies the larger plight Donut Dollies have faced in the decades since the war’s end.

 

Unlike those who served in the military ranks, the 627 Donut Dollies have been excluded from all health and social-welfare benefits awarded to military members, even though these women carried military identification, were authorized by the military to work as support for troops in combat zones, and were exposed to the same dangers as any front-line service member. In particular, these women were excluded from congressionally-mandated benefits related to Agent Orange poisoning granted to all service members deployed in Vietnam.

 

Ms. Evans has suffered through years of health problems that her doctors believe are associated with her one-year of service in Vietnam. She is currently recovering from a double mastectomy and chemotherapy, the drastic steps taken to help kill the cancer that her doctor says is likely the result of Agent Orange exposure. I have accompanied and filmed her through her diagnosis, treatment and agonizing recovery.

 

I am trying to bring this apparent double standard - benefits for those in the military, no benefits for those who served alongside them in these technically civilian roles - to light through this film.

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