FLYING THE FREEDOM BIRDS
Throughout the Vietnam War, the U.S. military flew troops into and out of Southeast Asia aboard contracted commercial airliners. The women who served aboard these planes as flight attendants accompanied young servicemen, anxious and apprehensive, on their way to a war they did not fully understand. And they were there to provide compassionate support during the return flights of these soldiers, who were exhausted, elated to be coming home, yet shocked by what they had endured. The flight attendants gained a unique and formative perspective on their country at war. Although these women were an integral part of the Vietnam War experience, their contributions are largely unknown outside of the veteran community.
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