TSRA Business Member To Honor Vietnam Donut Dollies
TSRA Business Member, the Texas Heroes Museum (La Grange, Texas) describes their operation as having three main features. The museum itself is in the former Fayette County jail. The museum still uses one of the original jail cells in the historic building. Second, the museum serves as an ongoing dedication and tribute to the men and women who have taken extreme measures and sacrifices in defense of our great state and nation. Finally, the Museum is also the Bob Lain Memorial Library. Between the Bob Lain (a Texas hero who lost his legs in Vietnam) Collection and other donations, the Museum has over 2,000 books on military and Texas history.
On September 20, 2025, the Texas Heroes Museum will add a fourth feature for the day: an event on Texas Heroes Day to honor the Vietnam Red Cross Donut Dollies. Joyce Denke, a courageous Texan who served as a Donut Dolly in Vietnam, is scheduled to speak at the event.
TSRA Members may recognize Denke’s name from the 2023 November/December TSRA Sportsman, when the details of her courage were shared with members in an article by J.C. Handy. (Read the Sportsman article here). A Vietnam Veteran himself, Handy has shared more eye-opening details of his 1967 Vietnam tour in his book, Coffins of Tin.
Texas Heroes Day was officially declared by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 2012. Each year, Monument Hill State Historic Site (La Grange, Texas) hosts a ceremony to honor the Republic of Texas soldiers. We are grateful to the Texas Heroes Museum for their event for Joyce, as well as their year-round services to honor Texans who have served and sacrificed.
Texas Heroes Museum is a TSRA Business Member. This membership level receives included and discounted advertising, inclusion in the TSRA Business Member Directory (on the TSRA website and in the TSRA Sportsman magazine), mentions in our weekly emails, and more! Click Here to join TSRA as a Business Member today!
Story by Marissa Brinkman and Charles Murray
August 21, 2025
Texas Heroes Museum is a TSRA Business Member. This membership level receives included and discounted advertising, inclusion in the TSRA Business Member Directory (on the TSRA website and in the TSRA Sportsman magazine), mentions in our weekly emails, and more! Click Here to join TSRA as a Business Member today!
Story by Marissa Brinkman and Charles Murray
August 21, 2025