Join Sarah Blum, a former Vietnam War nurse, in a thirty-three-minute podcast as she talks about her military training and time before and after Vietnam.

In this episode, we dive into the incredible journey of Sarah Blum, a former military nurse who served during the Vietnam War. From her early days as a serious child with an old soul to her experiences in one of the most challenging environments imaginable, Sarah shares her powerful story of resilience, strength, and advocacy for women veterans.

Sarah Blum, Vietnam War Military Nurse and Author

Sarah Blum served as a military nurse during the Vietnam War, stationed at the 12th Evac Hospital beside the Hobo Woods. She is the author of “Warrior Nurse, Healer: PTSD and Healing” and “Women Under Fire: Abuse in the Military.” Her experiences have shaped her into a strong advocate for women veterans, particularly those who have faced sexual assault in the military.

Key Points Discussed:

Childhood and Early Influences:

  • Sarah reflects on her early years, growing up during WWII and developing a sense of independence and strength from a young age. She shares memories of playing with a simple yet cherished baby doll and coach, and how these experiences shaped her character.

Pursuit of Nursing and Military Career:

  • From creating a career booklet at nine years old to joining the military in response to the Vietnam War, Sarah outlines her path to becoming a nurse and the challenges she faced, including height restrictions and initial rejections by different branches of the military.

Experiences in Vietnam:

  • Sarah provides a harrowing account of her time at the 12th Evac Hospital, where she dealt with constant casualties and extreme conditions. She describes the intense pressure, the emotional toll, and the unrelenting demands of her role.

Impact of Military Service:

  • Reflecting on how her service impacted her personally and professionally, Sarah discusses the resilience and strength she gained, as well as the stories and experiences that fueled her advocacy work and writing.

Advice for Women in the Military:

  • Sarah offers candid advice to women considering joining the military and those already serving. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, awareness of the challenges they might face, and the necessity of maintaining personal power and resilience.

Resources Mentioned:

  • “Warrior Nurse, Healer: PTSD and Healing” by Sarah Blum-launch date-March 6, 2025
  • “Women Under Fire: Abuse in the Military” by Sarah Blum www.womenunderfire.net
    • ” Sarah Blum’s book, Women Under Fire, is a stunning revelation of sexual abuse in the U.S. Armed Forces. As Blum’s book makes scathingly clear, this criminal activity–demeaning, degrading and despicable–is far too prevalent in each of the armed services. Action is needed—comprehensive, effective and swift—before sexual abuse rips out the very heart of the military.” (Lawrence Wilkerson, Colonel, US Army (Retired), former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Distinguished Visiting Professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William and Mary).

      Sarah

      Sarah L. Blum
    • Healing Wounds: A Vietnam War Combat Nurse’s 10-Year Fight to Win Women a Place of Honor in Washington, D.C. Kindle Edition by Diane Carlson Evans (Author), Bob Welch (Author), Joseph Galloway (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 880 ratings 4.5 on Goodreads 1,489 ratings See all formats and editions Featured in Kristen Hannah’s new book The Women What is the price of honor? It took ten years for Vietnam War nurse Diane Carlson Evans to answer that question—and the answer was a heavy one. In 1983, when Evans came up with the vision for the first-ever memorial on the National Mall to honor women who’d worn a military uniform, she wouldn’t be deterred. She remembered not only her sister veterans, but also the hundreds of young wounded men she had cared for, as she expressed during a Congressional hearing in Washington, D.C.: “Women didn’t have to enter military service, but we stepped up to serve believing we belonged with our brothers-in-arms and now we belong with them at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. If they belong there, we belong there. We were there for them then. We mattered.”

Quotes:

  • “I was alone on the street from the time I was three. In 1942, my dad was in WWII, and he bought me a baby doll and a coach. It was glorious to me.” 
  • “Imagine being a sensitive young nurse in the worst area hospital in Vietnam, working 16-20 hours a day regularly, standing in the blood of wounded soldiers.” 

Where you can find Sarah Blum: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.l.blum.1

Here is the link to the original interview, including transcripts: https://dogtagdiaries.captivate.fm/episode/female-vietnam-veteran

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You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

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