Loretta

Loretta Forlaw’s remarkable journey spans over three decades of service in the United States Army Nurse Corps. As a registered nurse, she provided essential clinical care to service members and their families. She also supported and conducted medical research. Loretta was an integral part of the team.

During her remarkable 30 + year military career, Loretta served as a nurse in Phu Bai Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 with the 85 EVAC and also served through the Iraq War and part of the war in Afghanistan as part of the U.S. Army Voluntary Recall Program. She retired as the Chief of Clinical Nursing for Tripler Army Medical Center and received the Legion of Merit award upon her retirement.

Loretta talks about her time in Vietnam in the Hometown Heros podcast that aired in 2022 as part of the National Vietnam War Veterans Day, https://www.hometownheroesradio.com/nationalvietnam-war-veterans-day/

Loretta served as a nurse in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and also served through the Iraq War and part of the War in Afghanistan. She retired as the Chief of Clinical Nursing for Tripler Army Medical Center and received the Legion of Merit award upon her retirement.

Loretta’s biggest take away from her time in the Army was that people are very brave, and can live their values while caring for many others in the world. Loretta feels “blessed and grateful” for all of the family and friends around her. She’s affectionately known as “Aunt Lori” to all of their children. She is honored to have some of her closest friends for more than fifty years.

Loretta keeps busy volunteering for many organizations such as the University of Central Florida College of Medicine reviewing grants and continuing education offerings, as a Neighborhood Nurse, and as the Director of Community Service for her local VFW Post in Apopka/Altamonte Springs, Florida. She serves on many veteran committees.

Loretta is passionate about getting Veterans the care they deserve for themselves and their families, and works to help them overcome the many bureaucratic challenges they can face.

For the public, Loretta would like to remind them that women Veterans were, and still are, there for them. We serve our country and deserve respect. She asks to “please encourage your sisters, daughters, and female friends to consider serving their country in the military.”

Loretta would like to tell her fellow women veterans “You don’t have to be alone. Reach out to help, and to be helped, and you will find friends.”

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