Waiting Wives: The Story of Schilling Manor, Home Front to the Vietnam War

by Donna Moreau

In 1964, as the first B-52s took flight in what would become America's longest combat mission, an old Air Force base on the plains of Kansas became Schilling Manor -- the only base ever to be set aside for the wives and children of soldiers assigned to Vietnam. Author Donna Moreau was the daughter of one such waiting wife, and here she writes of growing up at a time when The Flintstones were interrupted with news of firefights, fraggings, and protests, when the evening news announced death tolls along with the weather forecasts. The women and children of Schilling Manor fought on the emotional front of the war. It was not a front composed of battle plans and bullets. Their enemies were fear, loneliness, lack of information, and the slow tick of time.
Waiting The Story of Schilling Manor, Home Front to the Vietnam War tells the story of the last generation of hat-and-glove military wives called upon by their country to pack without question, to follow without comment, and to wait quietly with a smile. A heartfelt book that focuses on this other, hidden side of war, Waiting Wives is a narrative investigation of an extraordinary group of women. A compelling memoir and domestic drama, Waiting Wives is also the story of a country in the midst of change, of a country at war with a war.

Genres: Military Fiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, History

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2005

Reviews

[Roxanne Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure when I was growing up that the time we spent at Schilling Manor would be a time that shaped my life like no other. I didn’t know that it took the work of a handful of people to give us the chance to be in such an amazing place while we all waited for our fathers to come home from Vietnam. This author told the story brilliantly. This one will be with me for a long time. We were one of lucky families. My dad came home and then left military life after 20 years.

[Aaron Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a interesting book. I had never heard of Schilling Manor and the history behind it. I love to read about historical events and I do learn from them. I would recommend this book if you like true events.

[Drusilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew about Schilling Manor.

[Eileen]

I don't remember being stationed at Schilling while my Dad served in Korea, so my Mom thought this would give me more of a picture of our time there. I was interesting reading giving specific chapters of the lives of some VERY interesting women. Though military wives are given recognition for all they do, I don't think anyone can possibly understand what they give without specific renumeration for our country.
I really appreciated this look back at a time when the military wasn't well thought of much less supported. Donna Moreau presents many aspects which those outside the service wouldn't know the women would handle.

[Lori Glitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult book for me to read as my family was invested in the POW/MIA cause so deeply in the 1970s. We planted freedom trees in our small community and prayed for these families a lot. This is still an issue that touches me deeply. The POW/MIA issue was only one of many issues affecting the families in this book. As a military wife I live with some of the same struggles the wives did, those of waiting, praying and endless moving.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, loved it, loved it! It gives the reader a different perspective to the Vietnam War. Moreau's style of writing is fluid, and you are able to connect with the wives and their children as they wait for their husband/fathers to return from war.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives such a unique perspective of the Vietnam war, particularly of the families of soldiers who were POW/MIA. This was an outstanding read. It also does a great job of showing the challenges military spouses faced. I highly recommend it.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Air Force Brat whose pilot dad was in the Vietnam War, this book really brought it all back for me. Interesting story of the only base set up specifically for the "waiting wives" and children, and their lives keeping the home fires burning.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can totally relate to military life. I was not aware of Schilling Manor for the families who were impacted by the Vietnam War.

[Mary McMyne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Research for novel #2.

[Melodyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

understood so much of it...

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fascinating! THe military has changed a lot over the years...

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I am a military spouse, so I enjoyed reading about the supports and dynamics of all the women. Loved the idea of using an old closed base. Basically just loved it.

[Francy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Mabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked her writing style. Interesting stories and information.

[Mary]

I read Waiting Wives as a spouses club book club selection. It tells the true story from the perspective of three women/wives who were waiting wives at Schilling Manor in Salina, Kansas. Through the end of the Vietnam War era, families of deployed service members were not allowed to remain in base housing. One proactive wife, Lorrayne, got permission to start a housing area for waiting families on the recently closed Schilling Air Base. Over the course of the Vietnam conflict, more than 7,000 made their home at Schilling Manor. The stories told by the military spouses from Schilling Manor are timeless and relevant even to today's waiting spouse of a deployed service member.