VERONA — Armed Forces radio personality Chris Noel will speak at the Oneida Nation’s Veterans Recognition annual breakfast Saturday, Nov. 8.
The ceremony, an invitation-only event, will feature the long-time champion of veterans’ causes, who is best known for her efforts during the Vietnam War as the U.S. answer to "Hanoi Hanna."
Breakfast at the Shenendoah Clubhouse begins at 9 a.m., and Noel will speak between 9:30 and 10 a.m.
Noel’s popular Armed Forces radio show, "A Date with Chris," was broadcast from 1966 through 1970. Her cheerful opening of "Hi Love," and each show that followed, was a morale booster for those serving in Vietnam and was heard around the world on Armed Forces Radio. She toured with Bob Hope and once had a $10,000 bounty on her head by the Viet Cong. Today she is still active supporting veterans through three homeless shelters in Florida. Her Vetsville Cease Fire House was founded in 1993 to help homeless veterans.
In July, Noel was awarded the Vietnam Veterans of America President’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. She was cited for giving up a promising Hollywood career to host the radio show. Prior to her days with Armed Forces Radio, she appeared on TV shows such as, "Perry Mason" and "Bewitched," and with Steve McQueen in the 1963 film, "Soldier in the Rain." Her most famous movie role was with Elvis in 1965’s "Girl Happy."
Noel’s 1987 autobiography describes her work with veterans and her own recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The book, "A Matter of Survival," is subtitled, "The War Jane Never Saw," referring to the controversial Jane Fonda.
This will mark the eighth year that the Oneida Indian Nation has honored veterans with the annual ceremony.
Oneidas have served in every war since the revolution and during peace time.
