Lou Eisenbrandt
Growing up in a small Illinois town, Louise (Lou) Graul Eisenbrandt decided to join the Army in order to “see the world.” After graduating as a Registered Nurse in June 1968, she attended basic training, then headed to Ft. Dix New Jersey, her first duty assignment.
In September 1969, she received orders for Vietnam, arriving there on November 1. During her year at the 91st Evac Hospital, she cared for GIs, South Vietnamese soldiers and civilians, and even Viet Cong and NVA soldiers. From malaria and hepatitis to double amputees, massive head traumas, and deadly bullet wounds; Lt. Graul saw it all.
Since 1970, she has made four return trips to Vietnam, the latest in September 2014, when she joined 11 other vets making their first return trip to the country.
For the past 30 years, the author has been sharing her experiences with students and community groups. In addition, she is Chairman Emeritis of the board of Turning Point in Leawood, KS. Her other interests are travel, photography, golf, gardening, and finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
Lou lives in Overland Park, Kansas with her husband, Jim. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.
