Golden K members gathered on a bright sunny Monday, ready to begin their week. They greeted one another with smiles, hugs and eagerness to get the day started. The opening ceremonies were begun by chairperson Pat Polzin, pianist Alyce Derwinski, and song leader Lois Outcelt. The group responds by singing a few oldies and the welcome song for Alice Smith, Sarah Mitchell, Rosann Capra, Mike and Lorna March and speaker Mary Stolze.

After a brief business meeting, Polzin closed with her Thought for the Day: “There may be love without happiness, but there is no happiness without love.”

Mary Stolze came from a family of service members, representing various branches of the country’s military. She completed her nurses training and went to work in the surgical field. She left California with three other nurses and orders to serve in the Vietnam War more than 50 years ago.

She had just met the man of her dreams and in the face of an uncertain future, they decided to put things in order. She and George felt marriage was important before they both headed out.

Mary Stolze shows off the back of her Honor Flight T-shirt.

George Stolze was a Navy man and they hoped he would be assigned in the same relative area. As an Army nurse, Mary would be stationed in a combat area.

Receiving orders to the Vietnam combat zone was not the ideal honeymoon. That however, was not priority for the military. Arriving in Vietnam, Mary and George found ways to be together whenever possible. Being able to communicate and see one another now and then was helpful.

With the aid of a slide show, Stolze was able to show and describe some of the areas she was in.

The Vietnam War is and was a controversial time in history. Being on the ground with the South Vietnamese people in their country was quite an experience. The war unsettled lives.

The conditions for working and daily life were minimal. Safe zones and necessary medications were lacking.

Many have seen the television series “M*A*S*H.” The episodes showed some of the trials that were part of the Korean War. Mary compared their unit to “M*A*S*H” by saying: “We were not that safe or funny.”

Medical supplies were scarce or outdated. Often they had to be used anyway. Sanitary conditions almost did not exist. Being short staffed made things even more difficult. The standing irony was that the closest clean space was offshore on a Naval ship.

Bugs, snakes and roads loaded with mines combined with cockroaches under sterilized trays were some of the challenges. Dust, dirt and cramped living conditions were a few of the obstacles that faced service men and women who served in that area.

There are many stories that each service person can relate. Only recently have people been willing to listen. Some are of bravery, some are of sacrifices, and others nightmares.

Mary recently had the pleasure of joining many Women of Valor on a Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. She shared the beautiful tale of support and camaraderie. It might not make up for the original experience, but it was rewarding to see what we’ve learned. The adventure on this flight was overwhelming. “We were welcomed and treated with high respect as we explored the sights. Coming home to a cheering crowd and lines of people of all ages was over-the-top,” she said.

Stolze has a story that will have you laughing one minute, then looking for a Kleenex the next. It leaves you with a feeling of gratefulness for all who did their duty as called upon, regardless of the circumstances.

Golden K will meet at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford, with Katie Cherney from The Cure at the guest speaker. The Cure offers teens and young adults services such as mentoring, workshops, peer-to-peer groups and life coaching. All are welcome.