Photo By Sgt. Tyler Brock | Joan Rouse, left, stands beside her husband, Spc. Gene Rouse, a track vehicle...... read more read more
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GOLDEN, Colo – On the Friday before Mother’s Day each year, the Army takes time to honor the spouses of service members for their strength, loyalty and commitment to Soldier’s and today’s Army. One of those spouses is Joan Rouse, the wife of Spc. Gene Rouse, a retired track vehicle mechanic, was assigned to Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, on deployment status with the 4th Infantry Division.
Rouse was drafted in 1966 when he was 25 years old. Along with many other draftees, Rouse was called upon to help meet the demand of sending 100,000 troops to Vietnam as ordered by former President Lyndon B. Johnson.
“I just didn’t know what I was going to do without him in my life because he pretty much was my life,” said Joan.
On Aug. 16, 1967, shortly after being drafted, Rouse boarded the U.S. Naval Ship General Nelson M. Walker and embarked on his journey to the Southeastern Asian country of Vietnam.
“The way I looked at it, I owed it to my country. I figured it was my duty, like it or not,” said Rouse. “Looking back on it, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
When Rouse departed, he had to leave his wife in Boulder, Colorado, with her parents. After having a death in the family just three days prior, Joan said the last thing she wanted was to say goodbye to her husband.
Nevertheless, like many soldiers during the war, Rouse got his hands on a reel-to-reel audio recorder. This enabled him to create audio recordings of himself while in Vietnam and send them to his wife. Joan said the recordings assured her that he was okay, especially after he was injured.
“One night while I was asleep I was jolted awake, and I knew something had happened to him,” said Joan. “I didn’t know what and I just prayed that God would take care of him. That was the hardest thing, not knowing what had happened.”
Rouse said he noticed that his hand had swollen up with an infection, and taking the advice of his leadership, he went to the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku, South Vietnam. Late one night, while receiving care, the hospital came under fire from Vietnam communist troops and the hospital was hit by 122mm rockets during the attack.
Because people are the Army’s number one priority, Joan then received a letter from the Red Cross telling her that Rouse was in the hospital that came under attack. Joan said she was relieved when she read her husband was okay. She said after they had evaluated him, he was able to complete his recovery at another hospital.
In July 1968, he finally received his orders to return home to his wife.
Joan said she could not have been any more excited to see her husband back home. She had saved every letter, every tape, and every picture that Rouse sent her, but she was ready to have him home safe and sound.
The Army recognizes the importance of empowering and supporting spouses and appreciates the positive impact they have on Soldiers. Military spouses understand that loving a service member means facing challenges accompanying their service.
Nowadays, if you ask Rouse about the Vietnam War, he will tell you it only made his relationship with his wife stronger.
“I married a good woman,” said Rouse. “Our marriage got stronger because of it.”
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| Date Taken: | 04.27.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2022 09:25 |
| Story ID: | 419487 |
| Location: | GOLDEN, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 235 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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