Sally Brenner served as an Air Force flight nurse during the Vietnam War.
She tended to injured soldiers on flights to CONUS. Comforting one seriously injured young man, she kissed his forehead, saying "Please take care of yourself."
Fifteen years later in D.C., while visiting the Vietnam Memorial Wall in uniform, she was approached by a young man in a wheelchair. "You may not remember me, but your comforting words inspired me during rehabilitation, and I've tried for years to find and thank you."
Sally later served the California Army National Guard as founding State Nurse, Combat Support Hospital Chief Nurse and Brigade Chief Nurse, along with short tours in Germany and Japan.
After 30 years in uniform, she retired as a colonel and now serves as an officer for American Legion Post 178 in Rio Vista, Calif.